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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


4^  (C^/^/Ziti^      /^^ 


With  what  pride  he  gazed  upon  the  work  of  his  hands !     I'ape  26. 


IWILLBEASAILOR 


A   BOOK   FOR   BOYS, 


MRS.    L.    C.    TUTHILL. 


BOSTON: 
CllOSBY     AND    NICHOLS 

NEW  YORK:  0 .  S .  FELT. 
1863. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1863,  by 

CROSBY     AND     NICHOLS, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


University    Press: 

Welch,    Bigelow,    and    Company, 

Cambridge. 


dc, 


CONTENTS 


SRLF 


Chap.  Paqe 

I.  The  Ship-Builder 1 

II.   A  Sea-Fight 6 

III.  Tom  Brunt 19 

IV.  The  Brooklyn  Navy- Yard         ....  31 
V.  Asking  Consent 41 

VI.    Old  Ocean 45 

VII.   The  Mother's  Prayer 51 

VIII.   Home 60 

IX.   Our  English  Cousin 66 

X.   The  Sea-Chest 78 

XI.  Heroes 82 

XII.   Letter  from  Larry 89 

Xin.   Tom  Brunt's  Sister 93 

XIV.   Going  Ashore 103 

XV.  A  Surprise 109 

XVI.   Washington 113 

XVIL   "Dixie" 123 

XVUI.  Barefoot  Travelling 138 


622730 


IV  CONTENTS. 

XIX.  Off,  off  and  away 149 

XX.  The  Byword 156 

XXI.  The  wounded  Sailor 164 

XXII.  New  Orleans 175 

XXIII.  Farragut  and  Porter 180 

XXIV.  "Don't  gia'e  up  the  Ship"         .        .        .        .191 


I  WILL  BE  A   SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    I 


THE    Snir-BUILDER. 


"  Larky,  put  away  your  tools,  and  gather  up 
the  chips.  You  ought  to  be  at  school  by  this 
time." 

"Why,  mother,  this  ship  is  just  now  the  most 
important  thing  in  tlie  world  to  me.  Tom  Brunt 
says  I  don't  know  a  studdin'-sail  from  a  mainsail, 
nor  a  jib-boom  from  a  bowsprit ;  just  let  mc  put 
this  jib-boom  on  to  the  bowsprit,  for  I  want  to 
prove  to  him  that  I  do  know  which  from  which." 

The  mother  looked  admiringly  at  the  miniatui-e 
ship  her  boy  was  making,  but  repeated  her  request 
that  he  would  hasten  to  school. 

LaiTV,  habitually  obedient  to  the  commands  of 
his  mother,  gave  one  longing,  lingering  look  at  his 
ship,  the  pride  of  his  heart,  and  then  placed  it  in 


2  1    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

a  box  with  his  tools.  Hurriedly  he  gathered  the 
bits  of  wood  from  the  carpet,  for  he  had  been 
working  in  the  dining-room,  and  then,  after  kissing 
his  mother,  he  started  off,  full  speed,  for  school. 

As  soon  as  he  had  left  the  room,  a  gentleman 
entered  it,  upon-  whom  sixty  years  had  left  but  few 
of  the  marks  of  time ;  for  his  eyes  were  sparkling, 
and  only  here  and  there  gray  hairs  mingled  with 
locks  of  raven  blackness. 

The  gentleman  held  a  newspaper  in  his  hand, 
and,  as  he  looked  at  it  through  his  gold  spectacles, 
he  exclaimed  :  "  Squally  times !  Breakers  ahead, 
my  daughter !  They  are  disputing  in  Congress 
about  State  rights  and  Slavery,  and  are  as  violent 
and  impudent  as  pickpockets.  I  am  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  born  in  one  State,  educated  in  an- 
other, and  now  a  resident  in  this  Keystone  State,  at 
home  in  each  and  all,  and  I  have  taught  my  grand- 
son Larry  to  love  his  whole  country.  There  is  a 
disorganizing  rabble  in  Congress,  a  complete  nest 
of  traitors,  and  I  wish  there  was  a  Cromwell  there, 
to  drive  them  out  of  the  Capitol  and  tell  them, 
'  the  Lord  has  no  need  of  them.' " 

"  You  are  excited,  father,  and  needlessly  alarmed, 
I  hope." 


THE    SniP-BUILDER.  6 

"JTo,  my  daughter,  I  am  not  alarmed  without 
reason.     Civil  war  is  coming  upon  us." 

"  Civil  war !  O  father !  don't  prophesy  such 
dreadful  evil !    It  cannot  be !  " 

"  It  must  come,  for  secession  cannot  be  allowed ; 
a  nation  cannot  be  broken  up  by  the  will  of  a  few 
ambitious  demagogues.  You  might  as  weU  behead 
a  man  and  call  liim  still  a  man,  as  to  cut  off  any 
part  of  our  country  and  still  call  it  the  United 
States.  The  thing  is  impossible,  from  the  nature 
of  things.  Our  government  is  a  Divine  institution, 
and  must  be  sustained  at  all  hazards." 

;Mr.  j\Iiddlefield  resumed  the  reading  of  his  paper, 
and  Mrs.  Lockwell,  stooping  to  pick  up  some  bits 
of  wood  Larry  had  left  on  tlie  carpet,  said,  partly 
to  herself:  "  I  am  too  indulgent  to  that  ho-f?,  wliims  ; 
T  have  made  the  sails  and  the  flags  to  his  beloved 
ship.  Steamboats  and  ships  occupy  more  of  liis 
time  and  thoughts  than  Greek  and  Latin." 

"And  they  are  a  thousand  times  more  important 
to  us  just  now  than  all  the  Greek  and  Romau 
classics  that  ever  were  written,"  said  Mr.  !Middle- 
field,  warmly. 

"  But  I  would  n't  have  my  Lairy  a  ship-builder," 
retorted  the  mother. 


4  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  Why  not  ?  It  is  an  honorable  and  useful  em- 
ployment, demanding  a  high  order  of  talent,  nay, 
mathematical  and  mechanical  genius.  Think  what 
Fulton,  Stevens,  and  Ericsson  have  done  for  our 
country!  God  grant  our  boy  may  do  as  much  in 
his  day." 

"  But,  father,  surely  you  would  not  — " 

"  Please  don't  interrupt  my  reading  again,"  said 
Mr.  Middlefield,  with  a  flash  of  his  dark  eye,  and 
a  curve  of  his  mouth,  expressive  of  displeasure. 

That  dark  eye  had  quelled  opponents  in  Con- 
gress, and  that  deep  voice  had  sounded  through 
both  halls  of  the  Capitol.  But  Mr.  Middlefield, 
disgusted  with  political  strife,  had  declined  a  re- 
election, and  had  retired  to  private  life,  and  the 
quiet  occupation  of  a  farmer,  in  beautiful  Lancas- 
ter County,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Lockwell,  his  only  daughter,  had  been  a 
widow  ever  since  the  birth  of  Larry,  and  resided 
with  her  father.  She  was  a  graceful,  quiet  little 
woman,  with  not  a  spark  of  the  fiery  ardor  of  the 
ex-member  of  Congress.  Traits  of  character,  it  is 
well  known,  frequently  pass  over  one  generation, 
to  appear,  intensified,  in  the  next  generation ;  and 
Larry's    temperament    was    like    his    grandfather's, 


TOE    SniP-BUILDER. 


"only  more  so."  This  resemblance  was  by  no 
means  displeasing,  either  t»  the  fond,  gentle  mother 
or  to  the  warm-hearted  elder  relative,  who  de- 
lighted in  calling  Larry  "  a  chip  of  the  old  block." 


I    "WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    II. 


A    SEA-FIGHT. 


When  Larry  returned  from  scliool,  at  noon,  his 
satchel,  filled  with  books,  was  slung  across  his  shoul- 
der. "With  his  dark  eyes  flashing  and  his  face  a 
glowing  red,  he  entered  the  dining-room,  where  his 
grandfather  and  mother  were  already  seated  at  table. 
Larry  threw  down  his  heavy  satchel  with  real  vim, 
exclaiming,  "  Lie  there !  I  've  done  with  you." 

«  Wliat  now  ?  "  cried  Iklr.  Mddlefield ;  "  you  look 
like  a  fighting-cock;  as  'mad  as  a  March  hare.'" 

"  So  I  am.  See  there ! "  said  Larry,  showing 
his  right  hand,  the  palm  of  which  was  swollen  like 
a  puff-ball,  and  as  red  as  his  own  burning  face. 

"  I  '11  tell  you  what  it  is ;  I  vow  and  declai-e  —  " 

"  Let  us  finish  our  dinner,  and  sit  down  and  take 
your  own,"  said  the  grandfather;  "afterwards  we 
will  hear  your  story,  Larry." 

The  mother,  meantime,  had  started  from  the  table, 
and  laid  a  handkerchief  wet  with  iced  water  upon 
the  swollen  hand. 


A   SEA-FIGHT.  7 

"I  don't  mind  the  hand  a  hit,  but  I've  been 
insulted ! "  shrieked  Larry,  di-awing  away  the  red 
hand  from  his  gentle  mother. 

"  Come,  come,  boy ;  sit  doA\Ti  and  eat  your  dinner," 
said  Mr.  Middlefield,  soothingly. 

Lariy  found  it  difficult  to  swallow ;  his  anger 
swelled  up  into  his  throat,  and  almost  choked  him. 

"When  IMr.  Middlefield  rose  from  table,  he  said : 
^'Now,  Larry,  your  cause  of  complaint,  what  is 
it?" 

"  I  '11  tell  the  whole,  —  the  whole,"  stammered 
the  boy. 

"  l^ow  what  you  are  going  to  say,  and  say  it," 
interrupted  the  grandfather. 

Larry  was  a  sturdy  fellow,  tall  and  muscular, 
for  a  boy  of  twelve,  with  a  handsome,  expressive 
face  and  a  pleasing  address.  He  stood  up  as  though 
about  to  "  speak  a  piece,"  and,  making  a  slight  bow 
to  his  grandfather  went  on  fluently:  "As  I  was 
hurrying  to  school  this  morning,  I  met  Tom  Brunt. 
*How  comes  on  your  ship?'  says  he." 

*'  Said  he,"  interrupted  the  grandfather. 

"  Well,  said  he,  then"  (impatiently).  " '  First  rate,' 
Baid  I ;  '  almost  done.'  '  Pooh  ! '  said  Tom ;  '  you 
never  seed  a  ship  in  your  life.     What 's  a  fortobo- 


8  I    AVILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

Un  ? '  '  There  is  no  such  thing,'  says  I.  '  There  is  ; 
have  n't  I  had  it  in  this  hand  many  a  time  ? '  says  he. 
'  What  sort  of  a  thing  is  it,  that  you  can  hold  it 
in  your  hand  ? '  I  asked.  '  You  hindlubbers  call  it 
a  rope,  we  sailors  call  it  a  line,'  says  he,  proud  as 
John  of  Gaunt,  because  he  has  been  round  the 
world  as  cabin-boy.  I  was  provoked,  because  he 
called  the  foretoj^bowline  by  such  an  odd  name 
that  I  did  n't  know  what  he  meant,  and  I  said 
some  saucy  things  to  the  sailor,  as  I  left  him.  Then 
I  ran  to  school  as  fast  as  I  could,  but  I  was  an 
hour  too  late.  The  master  scolded  me,  and  I,  being 
angry,  was  as  saucy  to  liim  as  I  had  been  to  Tom 
Brunt ;  he  said  not  a  word,  -  but  pointed  to  my 
seat.  I  took  it,  and  there  I  sat  till  school  was 
out,  not  being  called  up  to  recite  or  receiving  the 
slightest  notice.  When  school  was  dismissed,  and 
I  was  about  to  leave  with  the  rest,  the  master 
bawled  out  to  me,  '  Stop,  Lawrence  Lockwell.' 
He  then  beckoned  to  me  to  come  to  his  desk.  '  Hold 
out  your  hand,'  says  he.  1  held  it  out,  and  Avhack, 
whack,  came  the  ruler  upon  it.  '  Try  it  again,'  says 
I.  ^Vhack,  whack,  came  the  ruler  again.  '  If  you  're 
not  satisfied,  I  '11  take  a  few  more,'  says  I.  By 
that  time  he  was  as  angry  as  I  was,  and  he  laid 


A    SEA-FIGHT.  9 

it  on  tremendously;  but  I  did  n't  flinch.  'Now  you 
may  go,'  says  he,  and  took  up  his  hat  and  left. 
I  packed  up  my  books  and  came  off,  determined 
never  to  go  into  that  school-room  again.  lie  knew 
J  disapproved  of  corporal  punishment,  for  my  last 
composition  was  on  that  subject." 

The  grandfatlier  smiled,  but  his  face  was  flushed, 
and  he  evidently  sympathized  witli  the  boy ;  com- 
manding himself,  he  requested  Larry  to  be  seated. 
Mrs.  Lockwell  had  her  hand  over  her  eyes,  and 
the  tears  rolled  down  her  cheeks. 

"  Larry,  when  does  the  quarter  end,  at  your 
school?"  gravely  asked  Mr.  Middlefield. 

"  In  two  weeks." 

"You  must  go  back  to  school,  and  finish  tlie 
quarter.  Furthermore,  you  must  beg  the  master's 
pardon." 

"  lie  ought  to  beg  mine  for  insulting  me  by 
that  feruling.  It  's  a  disgrace,  a  mortal  disgrace ; 
I  shall  never  get  over  it." 

"  By  your  own  account,  you  committed  three 
erroi-s,  nay,  four;  —  first,  stopping  by  the  way;  sec- 
ond, being  saucy  and  overbearing  with  poor  Tom 
Brunt;  third,  being  rude  to  the  master;  fourth, 
being  in  a  violent  passion.  Now,  my  boy,  you 
1* 


»♦ 


10  I    WILL    BE    A    SAIL  OK. 

must  rule  that  spirit  of  yours,  —  subdue  it  while 
you  are  young." 

Larry  cast  a  mischievous  glance  at  his  grand- 
father, and  murmured,  "  Excellent  advice  ! " 

"  Enough  said ;  now,  Larry,  show  me  your  ship." 

Larry,  with  whom  the  stonn  of  anger  had  com- 
pletely passed,  leaving  bright  sunshine,  ran  for  his 
box,  and  when  the  cloth  was  removed  he  placed 
the  ship  upon  the  table. 

It  was  really  an  extraordinaiy  piece  of  work  for 
a  boy  who  had  never  seen  a  ship.  It  was  com- 
pletely finished  in  every  part  excepting  the  jib- 
boom,  which  he  was  wliittling  to  put  on  to  the 
bowsprit  when  his  mother  sent  him  to  school  that 
morning. 

"  How  did  you  learn  to  make  this  man-of-war  ? " 
asked  ]\Ir.  JMiddlefield,  surprised  to  see  the  full- 
rigged  ship. 

"  I  copied  it  from  a  picture  of  the  Constitution." 

"  Ah !  the  old  Constitution !  How  many  hard 
fig]  its  she  has  seen,  brave  old  ship  !  Commodore 
Hull  was  one  of  her  first  commanders ;  he  passed 
the  Constitution  over  to  Bainbridge.  By  the  way, 
I  will  read  you  a  description  of  an  engagement  be- 
tween the  Constitution  and  the  British  frigate  Java. 


A    SEA-FIGHT.  11 

You  know  the  last  Avar  with  England  was  declared 
the  18th  of  June,  1812.  I  remember  it  well,  for 
I  was  a  lad  about  the  age  you  now  are,  Larry, 
and  I  was  as  intensely  interested  in  the  war  as 
you  now  would  be  if  we  were  to  have  another 
war.  Come  with  me  to  my  library.  Will  you 
go  with  us,  daughter?" 

"  Thank  you ;  I  cannot  get  up  the  least  interest 
in  ships  and  sea-fights ;  besides,  I  have  another  en- 
gagement." 

Mr.  IMiddlefield  and  Larry  adjourned  to  the  libra- 
ry. Larry  placed  his  beloved  ship  on  the  library- 
table,  and  Mr.  Middlefield  took  down  from  an  upper 
shelf  a  volume,  saying,  "  I  will  read  you  something 
written  by  Fenimore  Cooper,  whose  *  Pioneer '  and 
*  Spy '  you  have  read." 

"  And  *  The  Pilot,'  too,  I  've  read,  and  like  it 
best  of  aU." 

Mr.  IMiddlefield  seated  himself,  and  read  out 
with  animation  the  following  passages. 

" '  Hull  came  in  with  the  Constitution,  after  per- 
forming tAvo  handsome  exploits  in  her,  and  very 
generously  consented  to  give  her  up,  in  order  that 
some  one  else  might  have  a  chance.  To  this  ship 
Bainbridge    Avas   immediately    transferred,   and   on 


12  I    WILL    BE   A   SAILOR. 

board  of  her  he  hoisted  his  broad  pennant  on  the 
15th  of  September,  1812.'" 

"  There  it  is ! "  shouted  Larry,  pointing  to  the 
miniature  silk  flag  that  did  not  float,  but  was  fast- 
ened to  the  mainmast  of  the  ship.  There  it  is, 
Stars  and  Stripes  forever !  Thii-ty-three  stars :  O, 
and  another  to  be  there  when  Kansas  comes  in." 

"  Hush !  Don't  interrupt  me,"  said  the  grand- 
father. 

'"The  Essex  32,  Captain  Porter,  and  Hornet 
18,  Captain  Lawrence,  were  joined  to  Bainbridge's 
orders.' " 

"The   Constitution  was  a  44,"  cried  Larry. 

"  I  shall  close  the  book,  Larry,  if  you  interrupt 
me  again. 

"  '  Bainbridge's  instructions  were  to  cruise  for  the 
English  East  Lidia  trade  in  the  South  Atlantic' 

"  Open  that  atlas  to  the  map  of  South  America, 
and  look  out  all  the  places  named,"  said  Mr.  Mid- 
dlefield. 

" '  The  Constitution  and  Hornet  arrived  off  St. 
Salvadoi-,  on  the  15th  of  December.  There  the 
Hornet  was  left,  and  Bainbridge  steered  to  the 
southward. 

" '  About  9  o'clock  on  the  20th,  the  ship  then  being 


A    SF,A-FIf;iIT.  13 

in  13°  6'  South  Latitude,  and  3°  1'  West  Longitude, 
or  about  thirty  miles  from  land,  she  made  two  strange 
sail,  in  shore  and  to  windward.  After  a  little  ma- 
nojuvring,  one  of  the  ships  closing  Avhile  the  other 
stood  in  towards  St.  Salvador,  Bainbridge  was  sat- 
isfied he  had  an  enemy's  frigate  fairly  within  his 
reach. 

" '  At  a  quarter  past  mei-idian  the  enemy  showed 
English  colors.  Soon  after,  the  Constitution,  which 
had  stood  to  the  southward  to  draw  the  stranger 
off  the  land,  hauled  up  her  mainsail,  took  in  her 
royals,  and  tacked  towards  the  stranger.  As  the 
wind  was  light,  and  the  water  smooth,  the  Consti- 
tution kept  everytlung  aloft,  ready  for  use,  closing 
with  her  enemy  with  royal  yards  across. 

" '  At  2  P.  M.  the  stranger  was  about  half  a  mile 
to  windward  of  the  Constitution,  and  showed  no 
colors  except  a  jack.  Bainbridge  now  ordered  a 
shot  fired  at  him,  to  induce  him  to  set  an  ensign. 
This  order,  being  misunderstood,  produced  a  whole 
broadside  from  the  Constitution,  when  the  stranger 
showed  English  colors  again,  and  returned  the  fire. 

" '  This  was  the  commencement  of  a  furious  can- 
nonading, both  ships  manoeuvring  to  rake,  and  to 
avoid  being  raked. 


14  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

" '  Very  soon  after  the  action  commenced,  Bain- 
bridge  was  hit  by  a  musket-ball  in  the  liip,  and  a 
minute  or  two  later  a  shot  came  in,  and  carried 
away  the  wheel,  and  drove  a  small  bolt  with  con- 
siderable violence  into  his  thigh.  Neither  injury, 
however,  induced  liim  even  to  sit  down.  He  kept 
walking  the  quarter  deck,  and  attending  to  the  ship. 
The  last  injury  was  received  about  twenty  minutes 
after  the  firing  commenced,  and  was  even  of  more 
importance  (that  is,  more  injurious)  to  the  ship  than 
the  wound  it  produced  was  to  her  captain.  The 
wheel  was  knocked  into  splinters,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  steer  below. 

"  '  This  was  a  serious  evil  in  the  midst  of  a  battle, 
and  more  particularly  in  an  action  in  which  there  was 
an  unusual  amount  of  manoeuvrincr.  The  English 
vessel,  being  very  strongly  manned,  was  actively 
handled,  and  sailing  better  than  the  Constitution 
in  light  winds,  her  efforts  to  rake  produced  a  suc- 
cession of  evolutions,  which  caused  both  ships  to 
ware  so  often  that  the  battle  terminated  several 
miles  to  leeward  of  the  point  on  the  ocean  Avhere 
it  commenced. 

" '  After  the  action  had  lasted  some  time,  Bain- 
bridge  determined  to  close  with  his  enemy  at  every 


A    SEA-FIOnx  I'} 

hazard.  He  set  his  coui-ses  accordingly,  and  hiffed 
up  close  to  the  wind.  This  brought  matters  to  a 
crisis,  and  the  Englishman,  finding  the  Constitu- 
tion's fire  too  heavy,  attempted  to  run  her  aboard. 
His  Jib-boom  did  get  foul  of  the  American  frigate's 
mizzen  rigging,  but  the  end  of  his  bowsprit  being 
shot  away,  and  his  foremast  soon  after  following, 
the  sliips  passed  clear  of  each  other,  making  a 
lucky  escape  for  the  assailants.  The  battle  con- 
tinued some  time  longer,  the  Constitution  throwing 
in  several  effective  raking  broadsides,  and  then 
falling  alongside  of  her  enemy  to  leeward.  At 
length,  finding  her  adversary's  guns  silenced  and 
his  ensign  down,  Bainbridge  boarded  his  tacks 
again,  luffed  up  athwart  tlie  Englishman's  bows, 
and  got  a  position  ahead  and  to  windward,  in 
order  to  repair  damages ;  actually  coming  out  of 
the  battle,  as  he  had  gone  into  it,  with  royal  yards 
across,  and  every  spar,  from  the  liighest  to  the 
lowest,  in  its  place ! ' " 

"  Hurrah ! "  shouted  Larry. 

" '  The  enemy  presented  a  singular  contrast.  Stick 
after  stick  had  been  shot  out  of  him,  as  it  might 
be  inch  by  inch,  until  nothing  but  a  faw  stumps 
was  left.     All  her  masts  were  gone,  the  foremast 


16  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

having  been  shot  away  twice,  once  near  the  cat- 
harpings,  and  again  much  nearer  to  the  deck;  the 
maintopmast  had  come  down  some  time  before  the 
wainmast  feU.  The  bowsprit,  as  has  been  said,  was 
shot  away  at  the  cap.  After  receiving  these  dam- 
ages, the  enemy  did  not  wait  for  a  new  attack,  but 
as  soon  as  the  Constitution  came  round,  with  an  in- 
tention to  cross  her  forefoot,  he  lowered  a  Jack  which 
had  been  flying  at  the  stump  of  his  mizzenmast.' " 

"  Hurrah  !  hurrah  !  "  shouted  Lariy  ;  "  an  Eng- 
lish jack  lowered  to  the  Stars  and  Stripes !  How 
many  guns  did  the  Java  carry?" 

"  She  mounted  forty-nine  carriage-guns,  and  had 
over  four  hundred  men  on  board.  Of  these,  by  the 
English  account,  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  were 
knied  and  wounded." 

"  And  how  many  were  killed  on  board  the  Con- 
stitution?" eagerly  demanded  Larry. 

"  Only  nine  were  killed,  and  twenty -five  wounded. 
But,  Larry,  did  you  understand  aU  the  names  of 
the  parts  of  the  Constitution?" 

"  Every  one,  and  pointed  to  them  on  my  frigate 
as  you  read  them.  I  did  n't  understand  all  the 
sea  terms,  such  as  '  luffing '  and  '  boarded  his  tacks,' 
but  I  '11  get  Tom  Brunt  to  explain  them  all  to  me." 


A    SEA-FIGHT.  17 

"  Wtat  do  you  admire  most  in  this  action,  Larry  ?  " 

"  The  bravery  of  Captain  Bainbridge.     Why,  he 

did  n't  mind  those    wounds    any  more  than  I  did 

the  whacks  on  my  hand.    How  it  must  have  cheered 

his  men  to  see  their  commander  so  courageous ! " 

"  It  has  been  said  that  Bainbiidge  disregarded 
his  wounds  until  the  irritation  endangered  his  life. 
His  last  injury  must  have  been  received  about  half 
past  two,  and  he  remained  actively  engaged  on 
deck  until  11  o'clock  at  night,  thus  adding  the  irri-, 
tation  of  eight  hours  of  exertion  to  the  original  in- 
juries. The  consequences  were  some  exceedingly 
threatening  symptoms,  but  skilful  treatment  sub- 
dued them,  when  his  recovery  was  rapid.  The 
victor  was  not  more  esteemed  for  his  courage  and 
skill  than  for  the  high  and  chivalrous  courtesy  and 
liberality  with  which  he  treated  his  prisonci*s.  He 
landed  them  at  St.  Salvador,  on  parole." 
"  And  what  became  of  the  Constitution  ?  " 
"  She  retuiTied  to  Boston  for  repaii-s.  Since 
then  she  has  been  commanded  by  veiy  many  of 
our  best  and  bravest  officers.  There  is  hardly  a 
stick  of  her  original  timber  in  her,  so  frequently 
has  she  been  repaired.  I  hope  all  our  country- 
men will  stand  by  the  Constitution  of  the   United 


18  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

States  as  nobly  and  as  fii-mly  as  the  various  com- 
manders have  stood  by  the  good  old  ship  Consti- 
tution." 

Larry  started  up,  stood  erect,  with  a  glow  of 
fervent  enthusiasm  on  his  fine  countenance,  and  his 
dark  eyes  glowing  with  the  fire  of  his  patriotic 
spirit,  as  he  repeated:  — 

"  Thou,  too,  sail  on,  0  Ship  of  State! 
Sail  on,  0  Union,  strong  and  great ! 
Humanity  with  all  its  fears. 
With  all  the  hopes  of  future  years. 
Is  hanging  breathless  on  thy  fate ! 
We  know  what  master  laid  thy  keel. 
What  workmen  wrought  thy  ribs  of  steel, 
Who  made  each  mast  and  sail  and  rope. 
What  anvils  rang,  what  hammers  beat, 
In  what  a  forge,  and  what  a  heat. 
Were  shaped  the  anchors  of  thy  hope ! 
Fear  not  each  sudden  sound  and  shock ! 
'Tis  of  the  wave,  and  not  the  rock! 
'T  is  but  the  flapping  of  the  sail, 
And  not  a  rent  made  by  the  gale ! 
In  spite  of  rock  and  tempest  roar. 
In  spite  of  false  hghts  on  the  shore. 
Sail  on,  nor  fear  to  breast  the  sea ! 
Our  hearts,  our  hopes,  are  all  with  thee ; 
Our  hearts,  our  hopes,  our  prayers,  our  tears, 
Our  faith  triumphant  o'er  our  fears, 
Are  all  with  thee,  —  are  all  with  thee ! " 


TOM    BRUNT.  19 


CHAPTER    III. 


TOM     BRUNT. 


Larry,  finding  that  he  must  return  to  school 
and  finish  the  quarter,  did  it  with  the  best  grace 
he  could.  Meeting  the  master  at  the  door  of  the 
school-house,  he  said,  "  I  did  wrong  yesterday ;  I 
was  late  at  school,  and  afterwai'ds  was  saucy  to 
you,  sir.    I  beg  your  pardon." 

"  It  is  readily  granted,  my  boy ;  and  I  have  since 
thought  I  was  very  severe.     How  is  your  hand  ?  " 

"  Lame,  and  swollen  still ;  but  I  don't  mind  a  trifle 
like  that,  only  I  can't  write,  nor  whittle  either." 

"  Well,  let  me  shake  your  left  hand,  then,  in 
token  of  entire  reconciliation,"  said  the  master. 

Larry  frankly  gave  him  the  left  hand,  which  the 
master  took  with  a  cordial  grasp,  saying,  "  I  hope 
henceforth  we  shall  both  be  more  careful  not  to 
let  anger  get  the  control  over  us.  Anger  is  like 
fire,  a  dangerous  element,  ever  to  be  watched  with 
vigilant  care." 


20  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

On  the  way  home  from  school,  Larry  stopped 
to  have  a  talk  with  Tom  Brunt,  whom  he  found 
sawing  wood  in  front  of  a  small  brown  cottage. 
Tom  was  a  tall  lad,  whose  eighteen  summers  had 
bronzed  his  complexion,  and  given  strength  to 
muscles  and  sinews.  "With  one  foot  on  his  saw- 
horse  and  his  elbow  resting  on  his  knee,  he  looked 
inquiringly  at  Larry,  waiting  to  hear  what  he  had 
to  say.  Larry  seemed  in  quite  a  merry  humor,  for 
he  laughed  as  he  said,  "Tom,  you  got  me  a  tre- 
mendous feruHng  yesterday." 

"  How  's  that  ?  " 

"I  stayed  disputing  with  you  so  long  that  the 
master  punished  me  severely." 

"  Served  you  right,"  bluntly  responded  Tom. 

"  I  suppose  he  did,  but  now  I  can't  use  my  fenife 
to  finish  the  bowsprit  to  my  frigate  Constitution." 

"  Frigates  are  going  out  of  fashion,"  said  Tom. 
"  Them  plaguy  steamboats  have  done  it.  There  '11 
be  no  more  jolly  fighting,  such  as  there  used  to 
was." 

"  But,  Tom,  it  requires  as  much  bravery  to  meet 
the  enemy  in  a  steamship  as  in  a  saihng  vessel." 

"  Teeth  and  tongue !  It 's  another  afiair  ;  it 's  just 
as   difierent   as   reaping   with    a    McCormick   and 


TOM   BRUNT.  21 

swinging  a  scythe  in  your  own  hands.  Teeth  and 
tongue !  Evei'ything  goes  by  steam  and  'chinery 
in  these  days,  and  there  's  no  fun  in  it.  Why, 
they  saw  wood  by  steam ;  I  expect  we  shall  soon 
be  too  lazy  to  work  our  own  jaws  without  steam." 
*'  Tom,  what  makes  you  say,  '  Teeth  and  tongue '  ?  " 
Tom  stuck  his  tarpaulin  hat  on  one  side  of  his 
head,  and  said :  "  I  '11  tell  you.  When  I  sailed  in 
the  Shanghai,  the  sailors  ripped  out  their  swear- 
ing awfully,  and  I  got  into  their  bad  ways.  Teeth 
and  tongue  !  I  could  hardly  open  my  mouth  with- 
out an  oath.  When  I  got  home,  it  frightened  my 
sister  half  out  of  her  five  senses.  She  told  me  what 
a  sin  it  was,  and  made  me  say  the  third  command- 
ment, that  my  good  mother,  now  in  heaven,  teached 
me  when  I  was  a  little  boy.  I  just  remember  her, 
for  I  was  five  year  old  when  she  died.  Sister 
Mercy  said  I  must  break  myself  of  swearing,  and 
every  time  I  said  a  bad  word  she  said,  '  Xeeth  and 
tongue,'  till  at  last  I  catched  it,  and  now  I  use 
it.  You  can't  think  how  nice  it  is,  —  it 's  just  as 
good  as  anything  else  to  help  a  fellow  out  when 
he  's  in  arnest." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  heai'  sailors  are  such  sweai'ers," 
said  Larry. 


22  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  Well,  they  be,  —  officers  and  men  all  swear  ; 
it 's  a  part  of  their  calling ;  they  don't  seem  to 
know  it 's  wrong." 

"  0  Tom,  there  are  good  men  among  them,  — 
good  Christian  men,  —  especially  in  our  navy." 

"  Then,  by  teeth  and  tongue,  next  time  I  go  to 
sea,  I  '11  ship  in  one  of  the  men-o'-war,  though  I 
should  hate  to  go  by  steam.  It  seems  a  mean  way, 
to  go  by  just  what  boils  your  teakettle." 

Larry  laughed  heartily,  and  slapped  Tom  on  the 
shoulder,  saying :  "  You  are  a  good  fellow,  Tom ; 
you  must  come  up  to  Chestnut  Hill,  and  see  my 
Constitution.  She  's  full-rigged,  and  finished  from 
stem  to  stern,  from  keel  to  topgallantmast." 

"  The  Constitution !  That  'minds  me  of  what  I 
heam  tother  day.  They  're  getting  up  hot  steam 
down  South  to  blow  up  our  government.  Constitu- 
tion, people,  everything  North,  sky-high.  I  seed 
a  man  in  Philadelphy  who  had  just  been  down 
to  Caroliny.  Teeth  and  tongue !  They  are  dead 
set  agin  Yankees,  —  hate  them  worse  than  pison, 
—  a  deal  worse  than  they  hate  sin." 

"  Where  will  they  find  a  better  country  ?  How 
can  they  make  a  better  Constitution  ?  It 's  like  a 
man's   biting  off  his   own  nose  to  spite  his  face. 


T03I    BRUNT.  23 

No,  no ;  tliey  will  not  be  so  silly,  so  short-sighted, 
as  to  cut  themselves  off  from  these  glorious  United 
States.  They  say,  Tom,  we  Yankees  are  great 
brags ;  but  we  've  got  a  country  worth  bragging 
about,  though  I  confess  I  don't  like  bragging." 

"  Only  when  it 's  about  your  Constitution,"  said 
Tom,  waggishly. 

Larry  took  the  home-thrust  good  humoredly,  and 
replied:  "You  shall  see  her;  come  up  to  Chest- 
nut Hill  to-night,  and  see  if  she  is  n't  all  ship- 
shape and  Bristol  fashion." 

Tom  touched  his  tarpaulin,  and,  with  thanks,  said 
he  would  come. 

As  the  boy  was  hurrying  home,  he  was  agitating 
in  his  mind  how  he  should  communicate  to  liis 
grandfather  and  his  mother  what  he  feared  would 
be  unfavorably  received. 

"  I  must  do  it,  and  I  will ! "  he  exclaimed,  and, 
as  if  fearful  the  resolution  might  cool,  he  started 
full  run,  and  reached  home  almost  out  of  breath, 
as  if  hotly  pursuing  his  lately  formed  purpose.  His 
mother  saw  him  racing  up  the  long  walk  leading 
to  the  front  door,  and  hurried  to  meet  Iiim. 

"  What  is  the  matter  now  ? "  cried  Mrs.  Lock- 
well. 


24  I    WILL    BE  .A    SAILOK. 

"I  'm  going  to  sea.  I  will — I  ivill  be  a  sailor: 
so  there  now!" 

"  Do  you  intend  to  sail  in  your  own  ship  on  the 
fish-pond  ?  "  asked  the  mother,  with  a  merry  laugh. 

''  Mother,  it 's  no  joke.  I  am  in  dead  earnest. 
I  was  named  after  the  brave  Lawrence,  and  I 
mean  to  be  as  brave  as  he  was." 

"  Come  in,  my  son  ;  we  are  just  ready  for  dinner." 

Larry  was  quite  surprised  to  find  his  intention  so 
calmly  received. 

"  Go  to  your  room,  and  cool  off  before  you  come 
to  table,"  said  Mrs.  Lockwell.  "  The  last  notion 
you  had  was  to  be  a  ship-builder." 

Lawrence  came  to  dinner  quite  calm  and  col- 
lected, and  was  very  silent  during  the  meal,  but,  as 
soon  as  it  was  over,  he  gravely  requested  an  m- 
terview  with  his  grandfather  in  the  library. 

He  there,  in  a  veiy  decided  manner,  announced 
to  him  that  he  wished  to  enter  the  navy. 

Mr.  JVIiddlefield  inquired  whether  this  resolution 
was  formed  in  consequence  of  the  trouble  he  had 
had  with  the  schoolmaster. 

"  By  no  means,  grandpa !  I  have  been  thinking 
about  it  ever  since  you  read  to  me  the  description 
of  the  fight  between  the  Constitution  and  the  Java ; 


TOM    BRUNT.  25 

but  I  was  afraid  mother  and  you   would  not  give 
consent." 

"  We  are  to  have  stii-ring  times.  War  may 
come  on,  and  then  you  will  be  exposed  to  danger 
and  death.  You  are  our  all,  Larry.  I  had  three 
sons ;  now  I  have  none,  and  only  one  grandson ; 
you  are  the  only  son  of  your  mother,  and  she  a 
widow." 

Tears,  unwonted  visitants,  filled  the  eyes  of  the 
strong  man  of  sixty. 

"  But,  my  dear  grandpa,  you  admire  heroism 
and  have  taught  me  to  admire  it.  You  yourself 
gave  me  the  name  of  Lawrence,  and  you  have 
promised  to  tell  me  all  about  him." 

"  I  will.  Suppose  you  let  tliis  matter  regarding 
your  choice  of  a  profession  rest  awhile.  Don't 
tell  your  mother." 

"  I  have  told  her  already,  but  she  did  n't  think 
I  was  in  earnest.  She  turned  it  oflf  with  a  joke ; 
but  it 's  no  joke  with  me  at  all,  at  all.  I  am  in 
dead  earnest." 

"  Living  earnest  would  be  more  correct.     Take 
time    for    consideration,    my    boy ;    wait    till    your 
school-quarter  is  out  before  you  mention  this  hasty 
decision  again  to  your  mother  or  to  me." 
2 


26  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

"Excuse  me,  grandpa;  I  remember  you  spoke 
the  other  day  of  '  a  turning  point '  in  every  man's 
life,  when  his  future  career  was  decided;  I  sup- 
pose I  came  to  that  turning  point  when  I  decided 
to  be  a  sailor." 

Mr.  Middlefield  shook  his  head,  with  a  very 
grave  expression  of  countenance,  which  seemed  to 
indicate  that  he  did  not  intend  to  have  Larry  make 
just  this  personal  application  of  his  remark,  but 
made  no  other  reply. 

In  the  evening,  Tom  Brunt  came  up  to  the  "big 
white  house,"  as  he  called  it.  Tom  was  dressed 
in  his  best  sailor  suit,  and  wore  a  bright  new  tar- 
paulin, with  a  "fathom  of  black  ribbon"  dangling 
over  his  left  eye. 

Larry  exhibited  his  ship  in  his  own  room,  where 
he  generally  kept  it,  and  where  he  had  passed  all  his 
leisure  hours  for  months  in  bringing  it  to  its  present 
condition.  With  what  pride  he  gazed  upon  the  work 
of  his  hands  !  Yet  he  submitted  it  to  the  criticism 
of  the  sailor  with  as  much  hesitation  as  a  young 
author  would  place  his  first  book  in  the  hands  of  a 
keen  reviewer.  The  frigate  was  about  a  foot  and  a 
half  from  stem  to  stem,  and  every  way  proportioned 
to  that  dimension. 


TOM   BRUNT.  27 

"  Don't  say  '  teeth  and  tongue '  to  it,  Tom,"  said 
Larry. 

"  Blood  and  tliundcr !  It 's  first-rate  !  Can't  you 
take  her  out  of  that  block,  so  I  can  see  her  keel  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  I  had  to  fix  her  into  that  block  to  keep  her 
steady  while  I  was  working  on  the  ui)per  part.  I 
don't  know  that  the  keel  is  right,  for  it  was  n't  in  the 
picture  ;  it  was  under  water." 

*'  Keels  ginerally  be,"  said  Tom,  laughing,  as 
Larry  lifted  up  the  ship. 

Tom  closed  one  eye  as  he  gave  the  keel  a  knowing 
look,  and  then  said,  in  an  oracular  manner,  "  Tliere  's 
rather  too  much  timber  in  her  keel  for  the  size  of  her 
hull." 

"  I  can  whittle  it  down  to  the  proper  size,"  said 
Larry,  taking  out  his  jackknifo. 

"  No,  no  !  "  exclaimed  Tom  ;  "  now  she  's  painted 
80  nicely,  I  would  n't  do  it.  It 's  but  a  small  mistake. 
Sister  .-ays,  '  Let  well  enough  alone.'  I  suppose  you 
mean  to  be  a  ship-builder.  Master  Larry,  —  a  very 
good  business ;  you  '11  make  a  deal  of  money  by 
it." 

"  No,  Tom,  I  don't  expect  ever  to  build  another 
ship  ;  I  intend  to  be  a  sailor." 

"  You  a  sailor  !     Teeth  and  tongue  !  you  a  sailor ! 


28  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

Wliy,  you  're  a  mammy-calf  too  tender  for  the 
sea ! " 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  a  mammy-calf,  Tom  ?  I 
don't  like  the  sound  of  that  name." 

"  Don't  be  offended,  Master  Larry  ;  you  have 
always  been  with  your  mother  just  as  a  calf  stays 
by  the  mulley-cow  till  it 's  a  big  calf." 

"  Anything  but  that !  I  am  ready  to  go  from  my 
mother,  and  mean  to  go  very  soon.  I  tell  you,  I  am 
going  to  sea,  — '  the  bright  blue  sea.' " 

"  You  don't  know  what  that  means  ;  you  have 
never  seen  the  big  ocean.  Wlien  it's  mad,  right 
mad,  it  tosses  about  the  ship  like  a  bluebird's  egg 
that  you  could  crush  with  your  fingers ;  and  the  aw- 
ful waves  come  pouncing  do^vn  on  the  deck,  and  dash 
over  her,  sweeping  off  everything  loose,  and  many  a 
poor  sailor  too.  O  Master  Larry !  I  have  n't  told 
you  half.  You  would  be  frightened  out  of  your  wits 
in  a  gale." 

"  No,  indeed  I  should  not.  I  should  love  to  see  a 
tremendous  gale.  Wliy  do  i/ou  go  to  sea,  Tom,  if  it 
is  so  di-eadful  ?  " 

Tom  hesitated  a  moment  at  this  home-question, 
and  then  replied,  "  Just  because  I  like  it." 

"  For  the  very  same  reason  I  am  going.     I  don't 


TOM    BRUNT.  29 

intend  to  sail  in  a  merchant  vessel.  I  want  to  be  in 
the  navy." 

"  But  there  's  fighting  to  be  done  there,  or  will  be 
before  long." 

"  All  the  better,  if  I  can  fight  for  tlie  Union.  I 
sliould  like  above  everything  to  be  in  an  engagement. 
Hurrah  for  the  Stars  and  Stripes  !  " 

Tom  swung  his  tarpauUn,  and  joined  heartily  in  the 
«  hurrah ! " 

"  I  've  been  home  only  a  month,"  said  Tom  ;  "just 
long  enough  to  get  my  sister  all  snug ;  everything 
comfortable  for  the  winter ;  and  now  I  'm  going  to 
ship  again  from  New  York.  I  '11  try  one  of  our 
new  steam  men-o'-war,  tlinugli  I  do  think  they  are  as 
awkward  on  the  water  as  a  big  turkey  would  be. 
They  talk  about  their  being  cased  in  iron,  too  "NVcll, 
I  mean  to  go  with  a  temperance  commander,  for  1  'ni 
a  teetotaler." 

"  All  the  better  sailor  for  that ;  water  is  your  ele- 
ment." said  Larry.  "  Tom,  can  you  write  ?  I  know 
you  can.  Let  me  hear  how  you  make  out.  I  must 
go  to^  my  Latin  and  Greek  now,  and  bid  you  good 
night." 

"  Good  niglit,  and  good  by,"  said  Tom  ;  "  I  go  to- 
morrow moruing  early." 


80  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  Indeed !  good  by,  then,"  said  Larry,  grasping 
the  rough  hand  of  the  young  tar.  "  I  'm  glad  our 
navy  will  have  so  stanch  a  sailor  and  firm  a  patriot 
as  you  are.     Good  by." 


THE    BROOKLYN    NAVY-TARD.  31 


CHATTER    IV. 

THE  BROOKLYN  NAVY- YARD. 

Nothing  more  was  said  about  going  to  sea  by 
Larry  till  the  quarter  at  school  was  ended.  Larry 
came  off  finely  at  the  school  examination,  receiving 
the  first  prize  for  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy. 
The  day  succeeding  the  examination,  he  renewed  the 
subject  with  his  grandfather. 

"  I  can  give  you  up  to  my  country's  service  as  the 
best  gift  I  have  to  offer,"  said  Mr.  Mddlefield ;  "but 
your  mother,  your  mother,  Larry,  —  how  can  she 
spare  you  ?  " 

"  She  would  have  to  spare  me  to  go  to  college, 
and  then  to  study  for  a  profession.  I  should  not  be 
any  more  with  her  in  that  case  than  I  shall  be  when 
I  am  home  from  sea ;  and  I  shall  be  as  safe  on  sea 
as  on  land." 

The  grandfather  was  surprised  to  find  how  per- 
sistent the  boy  was,  and  could  not  but  admire  his 
spirit. 


32  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  You  would  not  go  to  sea,  Larry,  without  your 
mother's  consent,"  suggested  he. 

"  No  indeed,  grandpa ;  I  should  he  very  sorry  to 
give  her  pain  ;  but  I  might,  even  if  I  stayed  at  home, 
give  her  trouble.    I  am  not  all  that  I  ought  to  be." 

"  The  temptations  are  greater  for  a  boy  like  you 
in  the  navy  than  in  many  other  situations." 

"  Now,  gi'andpa,  I  Ve  often  heard  you  tell  about 
college  scrapes  quite  as  bad  as  any  I  can  imagine  on 
board  ship." 

"  Well,  well ;  I  '11  talk  over  the  matter  with  your 
mother." 

The  next  day  Mr.  Middlefield  told  Larry  his 
mother  had  agreed  to  let  him  go  to  the  Brooklyn 
Navy- Yard,  and  see  the  various  vessels  there,  and 
perhaps  he  would  change  his  mind,  and  be,  after  all, 
a  ship-builder. 

"  Thank  you,  grandpa,  thank  you  a  thousand  times  ; 
but  why  to  the  Brooklyn  Navy- Yard  ?  " 

"  Because  I  have  an  old  friend  there,  to  whom  I 
will  give  you  a  letter  of  introduction." 

"  And  who  will  go  with  me  ?  " 

"  You  are  to  go  alone.  A  boy  who  talks  of  going 
to  sea  ought  to  know  how  to  take  cai'e  of  himself  on 
a  land  voyage." 


THE    BROOKLYN   NAVY-YAUD.  33 

Every  preparation  needed  was  speedily  made,  and 
Larry,  with  his  valise  in  hand,  skipped  down  the 
path  to  the  gate,  as  joyous  as  a  bird  let  loose  from  its 
cage,  while  his  mother  watched  him  from  a  window, 
her  eyes  half  blinded  wth  tears. 

LaiTy  met  with  no  adventures  by  the  way,  and 
ai'rivcd  safely,  after  two  days'  journey,  at  the  Brook- 
lyn Navy  Yard.  He  was  directed  to  the  house  occu- 
j)ied  by  tlic  officer  in  command  of  the  yard.  There 
he  presented  his  letter  of  introduction. 

The  Commodore,  to  whom  he  handed  it,  was  seated 
at  a  table  covered  with  maps  and  paper's,  and  was 
employed  in  writing  a  letter. 

His  full,  dark  eyes  declared  absolute  rule.  They 
might  flash  under  excitement,  but  their  usual  expres- 
sion was  mild  and  benevolent.  The  broad  chin  and 
firmly  closed  mouth  indicated  promptness  and  de- 
cision. In  person,  he  was  not  tall,  but  strongly  built, 
Avilh  the  air  of  the  gentleman  and  the  sailor  blended 
in  harmonious  union.  Although  there  was  in  his 
bearing  evidence  that  the  Commodore  was  accus- 
tomed to  command,  there  was  not  the  slightest  token 
of  arrogance  or  haughtiness. 

Larry  did  not  analyze  the  character  of  the  oflicer, 
but  it  inspired  immediate  confidence  and  respect. 
2*  0 


34  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  Take  a  seat,  my  boy,"  said  the  Commodore,  as 
soon  as  he  had  looked  at  the  signature  of  the  letter. 
"  Your  grandfather  is  an  old  friend  of  mine :  we  were 
at  school  together." 

After  he  had  perused  Mr.  Middlefield's  letter,  he 
said,  "You  want  to  see  the  Navy- Yard,  Master 
Lawrence  Lockwell." 

"  Yes,  sir ;  and  I  want  to  be  a  sailor,"  was  the 
quick  reply. 

"  Your  grandfather  does  not  mention  that ;  he 
only  requests  that  you  shall  have  a  good  oppor- 
tunity —  " 

Here  the  Commodore  was  interrupted  by  the  en- 
trance of  an  officer,  whom  we  shall  call  Captain 
Ringbolt. 

"  How  are  you,.  Captain  ;  right  glad  to  see  you," 
said  the  Commander  of  the  Brooklyn  Navy- Yard. 
"  Take  a  seat." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Captain  Eingbolt.  "  Glad  to 
see  you  alive  and  well." 

There  was  a  striking  contrast  in  the  appearance 
of  these  two  officers.  Captain  Ringbolt  was  rather 
below  the  middle  size,  but  carried  his  well-formed 
person  so  erect,  and  with  such  an  air  of  dignity,  that 
he  seemed  taller  than  he  really  was.     His  mild  blue 


THE    BROOKLYN   NAVT-TAKD.  35 

eyes,  his  aquiline  nose,  and  handsome  mouth  foi-med 
a  set  of  features  that  no  one  coukl  look  upon  without 
admiration ;  while  his  fine,  soft  gray  hair,  arranged 
with  tasteful  neatness,  set  off  the  dehcate  complexion 
to  great  advantage. 

"  Excuse  me  a  moment,  Ringbolt,  I  was  just  copy- 
ing a  letter  to  send  by  the  next  mail.  But  here, 
boy,  can  you  copy  it  for  me,  while  I  talk  with  Cap- 
tain Ringbolt  ?  " 

"  With  pleasure,"  said  Larry,  taking  the  offered 
seat  by  the  table. 

"  Where  are  you  boimd,  Captain  Ringbolt  ?  "  said 
the  Commodore. 

"  I  am  ordered  to  the  Juniata,  but  where  I  am  to 
be  sent  you  know  as  well  as  I.  Wliat  tempts  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  despatch  us,  and  scatter  us 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth  ?  Why,  our  vessels  are  in 
every  port  on  the  globe,  I  was  going'to  say,  except- 
ing our  own  ports." 

"  The  Jmiiata !  Orders  have  been  received  to  put 
her  in  saihng  trim ;  she  will  be  ready  in  a  fortnight. 
We  are  going  to  have  stin-ing  times.  Captain." 

"  Stirring  times  indeed,"  replied  Captain  Ring- 
bolt. "  Every  fort  belonging  to  the  United  States 
ought  to  be  reinforced,  put  in  complete  order,  and 


36  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

supplied  with  ai'ms  and  ammumtion  ;  and  it  ought  to 
be  done  at  once,  or  it  will  be  too  late." 

"  But  who  is  to  order  it  ?  "  was  the  reply.  "  The 
Administration,  —  what  is  it  but  a  nest  of  traitors  ?  I 
dread  those  ominous  clouds  at  the  South.  Alas  for 
our  country !  a  wild  tornado  will  soon  sweep  over 
it!" 

By  this  time  Larry  had  finished  copying  the  letter, 
and  handed  it,  with  a  graceful  bow,  to  the  Com- 
modore. 

"  It  is  well  done,  very  well  done  ;  you  -write  a  fine, 
clear  hand.  This  is  Lawrence  Lockwell,  the  grand- 
son of  the  Honorable  Mr.  Middlefield,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania." 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  my  lad ;  I  knew  your  father." 

"  Did  you,  sir,  indeed  !  "  said  Larry,  looking 
directly  into  the  eyes  of  Captain  Eingbolt,  with 
that  frank,  bright  expression  so  pleasing  in  a  young 
person. 

"  And  I  like  your  name,  too,"  said  Captain  Ring- 
bolt ;  "  I  made  my  first  cruise  with  Captain  Law- 
rence, and  was  on  board  the  Chesapeake  when  he 
uttered  those  memorable  words,  '  Don't  give  up  the 
ship ! '  He  was  as  brave  a  man  as  ever  sailed  on 
salt  water." 


THE    BROOKLYN   NAVT-TARD.  37 

"  Are  you  going  on  board  the  Juniata,  Captain  ?  " 
inquired  the  Commodore. 

"  It  is  my  intention  ;  and,  as  you  seem  to  be  en- 
gaged, I  '11  leave  you  now." 

"  Come  back  and  dine  witli  me,  and  you  too,  IMas- 
ter  Lawrence  " ;  and  the  Commander  added,  "  Please 
take  this  young  gentleman  with  you;  he  wants  to 
look  about  the  yard,  and  means  to  be  a  sailor.  He 
is  land-bred,  and,  I  suppose,  don't  know  a  halyard 
from  a  hand-spike,  begging  his  pardon." 

Larry  smiled  at  this  comment  upon  his  supposed 
ignorance,  and  thought  lovmgly  of  his  own  little 
frigate. 

Captain  Ringbolt  found  his  young  companion  very 
inquisitive,  but  wisely  so ;  the  questions  Larry  asked 
showed  so  much  previous  knowledge  of  nautical 
terms,  that  the  Captain  was  quite  surprised,  and 
gave  him  the  information  lie  required  witli  pleas- 
ure. 

After  going  over  the  frigate  with  him,  the  Captain 
showed  him  about  the  Navy-Yard,  the  big  guns,  the 
pyramids  of  cannon-balls,  and  various  other  objects 
of  interest,  while  Larry  manifested  such  intense  en- 
thusiasm, and  responded  so  warmly  to  Captain  Ring- 
bolt's patriotic  conversation,  that  the  gallant  officer 


38  I    "WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

was  prepossessed  in  his  favor,  and  inquired  when  and 
how  he  was  going  to  sea,  and  suggested  that  of 
course  he  meant  to  go  into  the  navj. 

Larry  said  such  was  his  wish,  if  he  could  obtain 
the  consent  of  his  mother  and  his  grandfather. 

"  I  expect  to  sail  in  a  fortnight  from  this  time," 
said  the  Captain.  "  How  would  you  like  to  make 
your  first  cruise  with  me,  as  my  clerk  ?  " 

Larry  was  quite  startled  by  this  unexpected  pro- 
posal, but  he  replied,  promptly,  "  I  should  like  it 
right  well,  sir." 

"  Could  you  go  home,  get  ready,  and  return  by 
that  time?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  sooner,  if  necessary.  "Will  you 
please  write  to  my  grandfather,  and  ask  him  to  let 
>me  go  with  you." 

"  I  will  do  so  after  consulting  my  friend  the  Com- 
modore of  the  yard.  I  am  rather  quick,  and  perhaps 
hasty,  in  my  decisions,  and  sometimes  need  his 
cooler  judgment.  We  will  learn  what  he  thinks  of 
the  proposal." 

This  was  a  damper  to  Larry's  ardor ;  he  thought 
the  decision  was  already  made. 

The  two  officers  consulted  together  about  the  mat- 
ter, and  the  conclusion  was  that  Captain   Ringbolt 


THE    BROOKLYN    NAVY-YARD.  39 

should  write  to  Mr.  IVIiddlefield,  and  the  Commodore 
would  do  the  same. 

After  dinner,  the  two  oflicers,  with  Larry,  ad- 
journed to  the  Commodore's  office,  and  wrote  the 
letters. 

"  These  must  go  by  tliis  evening's  mail,"  said  Cap- 
tain Ringbolt. 

"  I  '11  take  them  myself,  if  you  please,"  said  Larry. 

"  To  the  post-office  ?  "  asked  Captain  Ringbolt. 

"  No,  sir,  I  '11  take  them  home  with  me  ;  they  will 
reach  grandpa  by  me  just  as  soon  as  by  mail,  for  I 
shall  go  by  the  mail  train." 

"  I  judge  by  the  date  of  your  gi'andfather's  letter 
that  you  came  directly  from  home,  and  did  not  stop 
at  all  in  New  York  or  Philadelphia.  Probably  you 
would  prefer  to  stay  a  few  days  in  the  city,  if  you 
have  never  been  in  New  York  before,"  said  the 
Commodore. 

"  It  is  my  first  visit,  but  I  can't  stop  now,  when  I 
have  so  important  an  object  in  view.  If  you  will 
excuse  me,  I  will  leave  immediately,  for  fear  I  should 
miss  the  evening  train." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  part  with  you  so  soon,  but  I  like 
your  promptness,"  said  the  Commodore. 

"  And  so  do  I,"  said  the  Captain,  as  he  gi-asped 
the  hand  of  Larry,  and  bade  him  "  good  by." 


40  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  There 's  pluck,"  said  the  Commodore,  as  soon  as 
Larry  was  out  of  hearing. 

"  He  is  the  right  stuflf  to  make  a  fii'st-rate  sailor," 
replied  Captain  Ringbolt. 


ASKING    CONSENT.  41 


CHAPTER    V, 


ASKING    CONSENT. 


As  swiftly  as  the  train  could  carry  him,  but  not 
swift  enough  for  his  impatience,  was  Larry  conveyed 
home. 

After  reatling  the  lettcra  of  the  two  officers,  Mr. 
Middlefield's  mind  was  made  up  in  LaiTy's  favor. 
The  difficulty  now  was  to  induce  the  mother  to  give 
her  consent  to  part  with  her  son.  At  first  she  could 
answer  to  the  proposition  only  with  tears. 

"  My  daughter,  we  ought  not  to  complain  th:it  the 
All-wise  Disposer  has  bestowed  different  gifts  upon 
different  individuals.  Some  have  talents  for  one 
thing,  and  some  for  another.  This  is  a  self-evident 
proposition.  Now  to  the  application.  Hei-e  is  our 
Larry,  possessing  all.  those  gifts  and  qualities  lliat 
would  fit  him  for  a  naval  officer,  and,  moreover,  he 
has  an  enthusiastic  desire  to  serve  his  country.  You 
love  your  country,  and  would  be  willing  to  make 
almost  any  sacrifice  for  her  good.     Now  what  better, 


42  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

what  greater,  sacrifice  could  you  make  than  to  give 
up  Larry  to  her  service  ?  The  way  is  providentially 
opened  for  him,  —  a  way  the  most  eligible  you  could 
desire.  Captain  Ringbolt  is  a  perfect  gentleman, 
and  an  excellent  officer ;  one  who  has  seen  a  great 
deal  of  service,  and  commands  a  fine  vessel.  Larry 
wiU  have  an  opportunity  to  see  foreign  countries,  — 
a  great  advantage  to  a  boy  with  his  quick  observa- 
tion.    Could  he  go  under  more  favorable  auspices  ?  " 

Mrs.  Lockwell  still  made  no  reply. 

"  If  you  cross  the  boy  in  tliis  matter,"  continued 
Mr.  IVIiddlefield,  earnestly,  "  it  may  prove  a  serious 
injury  to  him." 

"  Do  you  thmk  so,  father  ?  Alas  !  alas  !  what  can 
I  do?" 

"  If  you  refuse  this  favorable  ofier  he  may  run 
away,  and  go  to  sea  before  the  mast ;  boys  have  done 
such  things,  as  you  well  know.  Besides,  he  may  try 
the  experiment,  and  not  like  the  ocean  as  well  as  he 
now  thinks  he  shall.  It  may  prove  only  a  boyish 
fancy,  though  I  doubt  it,  for  he  seems  to  start  with 
the  right  motives." 

The  mother  at  last  sobbed  out  her  consent.  It 
was  like  teai'ing  away  her  heart-strings. 

She  now  employed  herself  in  making  the  needful 
preparations  for  his  voyage. 


ASKING    CONSENT.  43 

Larry  amused  himself  meantime  in  constructing 
his  own  sea-chest,  and  arranging  it  with  as  many- 
partitions  and  odd  nooks  as  could  be  found  in  the 
most  complicated  patent  travelling-trunk. 

At  the  end  of  ten  days,  Ije  w^as  all  ready  for  de- 
parture. 

It  was  Larry's  last  hour  at  home.  IMrs.  Lockwell 
led  him  to  her  own  room,  and  to  the  very  spot  where 
he,  as  a  little  child,  had  knelt  at  her  knee  to  say  his 
prayers,  morning  and  evening. 

Once  more  they  knelt  together.  The  mother 
prayed  fervently  that  her  boy  might  be  kept  from 
danger  and  death,  but,  above  all,  from  sin  and  its 
fearful  consequences.  She  commended  him  to  the 
care  and  guidance  of  her  God  and  Saviour,  and 
ended  with  the  Lord's  Prayer,  in  wliich  Larry  joined 
as  well  as  his  trembling  voice  and  his  tears  would 
pei-mit. 

When  he  rose  from  his  knees,  he  threw  his  arms 
around  his  mother's  neck,  and  kissed  her  again  and 
again.     She  held  him  close  to  her  aching  heart. 

"  Here,  my  son,  is  your  spiritual  chart  and  com- 
pass," said  she,  giving  him  a  beautiful  little  Bildc.  in 
which  she  had  marked  several  passages,  particuhiily 
appliciible  to  one  who  had  not  yet  commenced  the 


44  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOK. 

Christian  life.  "  Read  some  part  of  tliis  blessed 
book  every  day,  with  faith  in  its  holy  teachings. 
Make  Christ  your  friend,  and  then,  though  we  meet 
not  again  on  earth,  we  shall  meet  in  that  better  world 
where  pai'tings  shall  be  no  more." 

The  grandfather  now  called  Larry,  saying  the  car- 
riage was  at  the  door.  Larry  tore  liimself  from  the 
arms  of  his  mother,  and  was  hurried  away  to  the 
railroad  station.  There  he  bade  "  Farewell  "  to  his 
grandfather. 

Swiftly  as  the  "  lightning  train  "  dashed  over  the 
railway,  it  was  not  swift  enough  for  Larry,  so  great 
was  his  fear  that  the  Juniata  might  have  sailed  with- 
out him.  But  he  arrived  in  time,  and  hastened  over 
to  Brooklyn. 

It  was  the  first  day  of  November,  a  dreary  day, 
but  such  was  the  glowing  enthusiasm  of  the  boy  that 
it  was  to  him  like  a  bright  day  in  Jime. 


OLD    OCEAN.  45 


CHAPTER    VI. 


OLD    OCEAN. 


The  Captain's  cabin  was  luxuriously  furnished. 
The  chairs,  sofas,  and  tables  were  of  carved  oak,  and 
80  was  the  panelling,  in  which  were  several  bright 
min-ors.  The  covering  of  the  chairs  and  sofas  was  a 
gay  brocatclle.  Suspended  around  the  cabin  were 
several  fine  engravings,  and  two  beautiful  landscapes 
in  oil  representing  scenes  on  the  Hudson  River,  as 
though  the  sailor  did  not  mean  to  lose  sight  of  his 
native  land,  wherever  he  might  be. 

Larry,  on  liis  arrival  on  board  the  Juniata,  went 
directly  to  this  cabin,  and  there  was  Captam  Ringbolt 
seated  by  the  centre-table,  over  which  hung  a  bronze 
chandeUer.  However  cheerful  the  cabin  miglit  oth- 
erwise have  been  to  the  Captain,  it  certainly  became 
more  so  when  the  bright,  high-spirited  boy  entered, 
and  saluted  his  commander  \v\i\x  a  most  respectful 
bow.  It  was  like  a  beautiful  beam  of  sunlight  glint- 
ing into  that  paitially  dai-keued  apailmcnt. 


46  I    "VriLL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  Larry,"  said  Captain  Ringbolt. 
*'  You  are  to  be  in  my  cabin  generally,  but  you  mess 
elsewhere,  excepting  when  I  invite  you  to  my  ta- 
ble which,  if  you  behave  yourself,  will  be  pretty 
often." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,  I  hope  to  do  my  duty,"  was  the 
prompt  reply. 

"  You  know  I  have  neither  son  nor  daughter,  but  I 
can  imagine  what  it  must  be  for  your  mother  and 
grandfather  to  part  with  you." 

Larry's  lip  quivered,  and  his  dai'k  eye  glittered 
with  an  unshed  tear. 

''  You  are  my  clerk,  Larry,  just  as  a  son  would  be 
if  I  had  one,  and  I  hope  you  will  confide  in  me  as  if 
I  were  your  father.  Come,  dash  away  that  tear,  and 
go  on  deck  ;  we  shall  soon  be  off." 

Glad  was  Larry  that  the  Juniata  was  a  fiigate 
much  after  the  fashion  of  his  beloved  Constitution, 
with  modem  improvements. 

A  pilot  sprang  from  the  wharf  to  the  quarter-deck 
of  the  Juniata,  and  cried,  "  Are  you  all  ready  ?  " 

"  AU  ready,  sir,"  was  the  reply  of  the  officer  on 
deck. 

The  command  was  then  given,  "  Stand  by  the 
head  braces  !     Cast  off  your  head  fast,  and  stand  by 


OLD    OCEAN.  47 

aft  there,  to  let  go  that  stem-line !  Let  go !  Man 
the  topsail  halyards.  Run  'em  up,  boys !  run  'cm. 
up ! " 

Larry  was  quite  delighted  to  find  himself  perfectly 
fi\miliar  with  the  names  of  sails,  yards,  lines,  &c., 
and  excited  by  the  noise  and  hurry  of  departure. 

"  Haul  over  that  starboard  sheet !  " 

«  What 's  the  matter  ?  What 's  fast  there  ?  Star- 
board the  helm  !    Starboard  !  "  shouted  the  pilot. 

"  What  holds  her  ?  Is  there  anytliing  foul  aft 
there  ? " 

"  Look  at  that  stem-line.  Heave  it  off  the  timber- 
head  ! " 

"  It 's  foul  ashore,"  cried  a  sailor. 

"  Cut  it !  cut  it !  never  mind  the  hawser  !  " 

The  sailor  drew  his  sheath-knife  across  the  big 
hawser,  and  it  parted.  The  Juniala  was  free,  the 
sails  were  set  and  trimmed  to  the  breeze,  and  soon 
the  Juniata  was  moving  majestically  down  the  harbor- 
Larry  stood  upon  the  quarter-deck  neai*  the  Cap- 
tain." 

"  What  a  magnificent  harbor  ! "  exclaimed  Captain 
Ringbolt.  This  bay  beats  the  bay  of  Naples,  boy. 
Strange  I  have  forgotten  your  name  at  this  moment : 
I  always  forget  names." 


48  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  Lawrence,  if  you  please,  sir.  I  was  named  after 
the  brave  Captain  Lawrence,  but  I  am  called  Larry 
at  home." 

That  word  "  home  "  still  called  a  tear  to  the  eye 
of  the  boy,  but  he  brushed  it  quickly  away. 

"  A  glorious  name !  Ever  remember,  boy,  his 
dying  words,  '  Don't  give  up  the  ship  ! '  They  ring 
in  my  ears  at  this  moment,  as  they  did  when  I  heard 
them  from  the  lips  of  the  dying  hero." 

On,  on  went  the  Juniata,  sending  the  dashing 
waves  before  her  in  sparkling  spray. 

Strange  to  say,  Larry  was  not  sea-sick.  Not  so 
with  the  Captain  himself.  For  twenty-four  hours 
after  sailing,  he  said  he  always  felt  "  rather  qualm- 
ish." 

As  he  lay  on  a  sofa  the  second  day  out,  he  said  to 
Larry,  "  Do  you  think  you  could  write  from  dic- 
tation." 

"  I  can  try ;  though  I  may  not  make  out  veiy 
well,  as  it  seems  a  rather  rough  place  to  write  in." 

"  I  always  keep  a  journal  for  my  good  wife,  and 
I  must  begin  to-day." 

Writing  materials  were  on  the  table. 

"  All  ready  ?  "  said  the  Captain. 

"  All  ready,  sir." 


OLD    OCEAN.  49 

The  Captain  begun  his  dictation. 

"  IMy  deak  "Wife  :  Again  on  the  water,  and  too 
top-heavy  to  hold  a  pen.  My  new  clerk  takes  to 
the  water  like  a  duck ;  he  is  no  chicken.  The  right 
sort  for  me." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Larry,  laughing  at  this 
odd   besinninjr. 

The  Cajjtain  went  on  with  the  dictation  for  about 
an  hour;  then  he  said,  "It's  getting  rough;  how 
she  pitches !  don't  you  feel  it,  boy  ? " 

"I  do ;  it  is  fine.  I  hardly  realized  before 
that  I  wiis  on  the  great  ocean,  and  out  of  sight  of 
land." 

"  Fine  !  don't  you  hear  the  wind  ?  "We  are  going 
to  have  a  gale.  Put  up  everything  snug  in  the  Avrit- 
ing-desk.  I  hope  everything  is  as  snug  in  the 
Juniata.  The  oflScer  on  deck  is  a  capital  sailor. 
You  may  go  up,  but  don't  be  frightened." 

The  gale  increased.  The  waves  came  leaping  like 
living  mountains,  and  sent  the  dashing  waters  over 
the  deck.  Larry  lashed  himself  to  the  bulwarks  of 
the  quarter-deck.  The  gale  eveiy  moment  became 
more  fierce.  The  frigate  seemed  contending  like  a 
pygmy  with  a  giant,  as  she  went  up  over  the  waves, 
trembling  and  quivering  as  the  foaming  waters  rushed 

3  D 


50  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

over  her  from  stem  to  stern.  Then  down  again  she 
•went  into  the  trough,  only  to  climb  up  the  next  huge, 
threatening  wave. 

"  We  must  put  her  in  stays,"  said  the  sailing-mas- 
ter to  an  old  tar. 

"  Stays  !  "  thought  Larry  ;  "  what  can  that 
mean  ?  " 

Through  a  speaking-trumpet  came  a  distinct  cry, 
"  All  ready  !  "  • 

Silence  throughout  the  ship  signifying  "  All 
ready." 

"Hard  a-lee !  " 

The  bows  swept  round. 

"  Foresheet,  there ! " 

"  Tacks  and  sheets." 

"  Maintop-sail  haul !  " 

"  Let  go  and  haul ! " 

"  Haul  taut  the  weather-brace." 

"  Aft  the  main-sheet !     All  right !  " 

The  gale  continued.  The  night  was  dark  as  pitch, 
—  not  a  star  to  be  seen.  A  driving  sleet  came 
sweeping  over.  Soon  decks  were  slippery,  and  lines 
stiff  with  ice.  The  main-topsail  must  keep  the  ship 
steady. 

All  at  once  came  the  cry,  "  Main-topsail  gone  ! " 


OLD    OCEAN.  51 

The  ship  is  l<aid-to,  and  must  wait  till  morning  to 
repair  the  damage. 

Completely  drenched  and  shivering  with  cold, 
Larry,  with  the  aid  of  one  of  the  sailors,  made 
his  way  over  the  icy  deck,  and  took  refuge  below. 
In  spite  of  the  heavy  tread  of  the  men  on  deck, 
the  howling  of  the  wind,  the  shrieking  timbers,  and 
the  battlmg  waves,  Larry  was  soon  as  soundly  asleep 
as  an  infant  in  its  cradle.  As  soon  as  it  was  day- 
light he  went  upon  deck.  The  storm  had  abated, 
but  tlie  vessel  was  pitching  violently.  Men  were 
ordered  to  the  main-top,  with  the  main-topsails. 
What  was  Larry's  astonishment  to  see  Tom  Brunt 
climbing  up  the  shrouds  like  a  squirrel,  till  he  was 
almost  out  of  sight.  Larry  was  right  glad  to  find 
his  old  friend  on  board  the  Juniata. 

A  small  line  was  wanted  aloft  by  the  sailors,  who 
were  repairing  the  damage. 

"  Here,  boy,  take  this  line  (a  small  coil  of  i*ope) 
up  to  the  main-top." 

This  was  addressed  to  a  young  sailor,  a  ciibin- 
boy. 

"  I  am  afraid,  sir,"  said  the  boy,  whimpering. 

"  Let  me  take  it,"  said  Larry. 

"But  you've  never  been  up." 


52  I   AVILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

"Yes,  I  have,  three  or  four  times,  when  I  first 
came  on  board  at  Brooklyn,  and  once  since." 

"  Then  up  with  you  ! " 

Larry  swung  the  coil  of  line  on  his  left  arm,  and, 
in  spite  of  the  pitching  of  the  ship,  made  his  way  to 
the  fore-top. 

"  Hurrah  !  teeth  and  tongue  !  Bully  for  you  ! " 
shouted  Tom  Brunt,  while  the  other  sailors  looked 
on  with  admiration. 

"A  first-rate  sailor  that  boy  will  make,"  said  a 
lieutenant.  "  Captain  Ringbolt  tells  me  he  shall 
get  him  a  midshipman's  warrant  one  of  these 
days." 

As  Larry  was  coming  from  his  elevated  position, 
he  cast  his  eyes  below,  and  began  to  feel  quite 
dizzy. 

"  Look  aloft ! "  shouted  Tom  Brunt. 

Larry  did  so,  and  was  safe. 

Li  many  a  storm  and  many  a  fight  Larry  remem- 
bered the  cry,  "  Look  aloft ! "  He  looked  to  God  for 
aid  and  support. 

"  Up  with  the  starry  sign, 

The  red  stripes  and  the  white ! 
Where'er  its  glories  shine, 
In  peace  or  iu  the  fight, 


OLD    OCEAN.  53 

We  own  its  high  command; 
For  the  flag  our  fathers  gave 
O'er  our  children's  head  shall  wave, 
And  their  children's  children's  grave: 

God  for  our  native  land !  "  * 

*  Rev.  G.  W.  B(ithune. 


54  I   WIXL    BE   A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE    mother's    prater. 

The  Juniata  was  ordered  to  the  Mediterranean, 
and  the  first  port  she  reached  was  Spezzia.  Among 
the  various  foreign  vessels  there,  it  was  delightful  to 
Larry  to  discover  several  United  States  flags.  Noth- 
ing, not  even  the  sound  of  a  bell,  so  stirs  the  heai-t 
of  a  wanderer  from  home  as  the  flag  of  the  Union. 
Its  stars  seem  clearer  to  him  than  all  the  stars  that 
glitter  in  the  heavens.  During  the  voyage  Captain 
Ringbolt  had  taken  pleasure  in  'preparing  Larry  for 
the  navy,  by  teaching  him  what  he  would  otherwise 
have  learned  in  the  Naval  School. 

One  morning,  soon  after  their  arrival  at  Spezzia, 
Lany  found  the  Captain  in  a  gloomy  mood.  Larry 
was  at  the  table  writing :  the  Captain  sat  opposite  to 
bim. 

"  Larry,"  said  the  Captain,  in  a  voice  so  sad  and 
solemn  that  Larry  started  from  his  seat,  and  threw 
down  his  pen,  exclaiming,  "  What  is  it,  su-  ?  " 


THE  mother's  prayer.  55 

"  A  fearful  blow  has  been  struck  against  our  be- 
loved country.  Blood  will  follow.  South  Carolina 
has  seceded  from  the  Union  ! " 

"  I  don't  understand  you,  sir." 

"  That  is  not  strange,  for  secession  is  an  impossi- 
bility, from  the  very  nature  of  our  Union.  We  are 
one  nation.  Well 'do  I  remember  the  wise  saying  of 
one  of  South  Carolina's  patriots  :  '  Let  us  consider  all 
attempts  to  weaken  this  Union,  by  maintaining  that 
each  State  is  separately  and  individually  indepen- 
dent, as  a  political  heresy,  which  can  never  benefit 
us,  and  may  bring  on  the  most  serious  distresses.' 
The  distress  has  come,  and  here  are  some  of  our 
best  sliips  cooped  up  in  the  Mediterranean,  for  no 
other  purpose  than  to  keep  us  out  of  the  way. 
When  the  new  President  comes  into  office,  and  we 
get  a  new  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  we  shall  be  re- 
called." 

"  I  thought,  sir,  you  were  a  South  Carolinian," 
said  Larry. 

"  I  disown  the  rebellious  State,  I  am  a  citizen  of 
the  United  States  of  America.  Under  tlic  flag  of 
my  country  have  I  sailed  ever  since  I  was  a  boy  of 
your  age  ;  and  do  you  think  I  know  any  difference 
between  North  and  South,  East  and  West,  only  as 


56  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

the  wind  sets  towards  one  quarter  or  the  other,  or 
the  compass  points  to  them  ?  No,  my  boy ;  I  go  for 
the  Union  and  the  Constitution  as  long  as  the  breath 
of  hfe  is  in  me." 

"  And  what  will  be  done  with  these  Carohna 
traitors  ?  " 

'•  More  fools  and  madmen  will  follow  them  in 
rebellion.  Better  for  our  country  if  the  leaders  were 
hung  up  as  high  as  Haman,  that  old  traitor." 

"  And  what  will  now  be  done  ? "  eagerly  asked 
Larry. 

"  I  will  answer  you  in  the  words  of  Jefferson : 
'  When  two  parties  make  a  compact,  there  results  to 
each  the  power  of  compelling  the  other  to  execute  it.' 
We  have  got  to  use  compulsion  with  this  rebel  State, 
and  I  wish  the  Juniata  were  now  in  Charleston  har- 
bor. O  if  we  only  had  Jackson  to  order  the  ring- 
leaders to  be  strung  up,  as  he  did  Arbuthnot  and 
Ambrister.  Hanging  is  the  only  remedy  just  now 
to  prevent  the  evil  from  spreading." 

"  How  long  do  you  suppose  we  shall  have  to  stay 
here,  sir  ?  "  eagerly  asked  Larry. 

"  I  must  wait  for  orders  ;  but  we  will  cruise  about, 
and,  if  possible,  I  '11  give  you  an  opportunity  to  see 
Eome." 


THE    mother's    rRAYKR.  ,57 

"  I  pliall  be  very  glad  to  see  Rome,"  said 
Larry ;  "  but  just  now  I  would  rather  see  New 
York." 

"  That 's  right.  You  have  the  true  Yankee 
spirit." 

"  I  glory  in  the  name  of  Yankee,"  cried  Lany. 

"  All  the  world  has  learned  to  respect  it.  I  will 
never  sail  under  another  flag  than  such  a  one  as 
now  floats  on  the  Juniata.  Not  a  star  less,  not  a 
stripe  less :  more  stai-s  there  may  be  on  our  flag, 
but  never,  never  less,  —  God  help  us,  never  less  than 
thii-ty-three  ! " 

A  fearful  excitement  prevailed  among  the  officers 
and  crew  of  the  Juniata.  They  swore  against  the 
President,  but  curses  loudest  and  deepest  were 
heaped  upon  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  who  had 
sent  them  to  the  Mediterranean,  seemingly  for  no 
purpose  but  to  get  them  out  of  the  way. 

On  one  occasion  Larry  was  mingling  with  some  of 
the  midshipmen,  and,  under  the  excitement  of  the 
occasion,  was  as  profane  as  the  worst  of  them.  Tom 
Brunt  happened  to  be  within  hearing  of  Larry,  and 
was  shocked  at  the  oaths  that  poured  volubly  ironi 
the  lips  of  the  Captain's  clerk. 

The  first  opportunity  Tom  had  for  a 'talk  with 
3* 


58  I   WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

Larry,  he  said  to  him  that  he  was  sorry  to  find  he 
had  fallen  into  the  bad  habit  of  swearing. 

"  Master  Larry,  how  would  you  like  to  have  your 
good  mother  hear  you  take  God's  name  in  vain  ?  " 
asked  Tom,  seriously. 

"  Not  at  all,"  replied  Larry ;  "  but,  Tom,  I  can't 
say  '  teeth  and  tongue,'  as  you  do,  for  I  should  be 
ridiculed  by  every  officer  on  board." 

"  So  was  I  laughed  at  and  tormented  by  my  mess- 
mates, but  I  did  n't  mind  it.  They  mocked  me,  and 
said  '  teeth  and  tongue,'  till  finally  some  of  them  use 
it  instead  of  worse  words.  I  have  left  it  off,  and  find 
I  can  do  very  well  without  either.  Master  Larry, 
when  you  fii-st  came  aboard,  you  showed  me  the 
pretty  Bible  your  mother  gave  you.  I  hope  you 
read  it." 

Larry's  face  crimsoned  with  shame,  but  he  was 
honest  and  truthful  in  his  reply. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say,  Tom,  that  I  have  n't  looked 
into  it  for  a  month  or  more." 

"  And  what  if  you  should  die  before  you  see  her 
again,  would  it  be  a  pleasant  thought  to  you  that 
you  had  learned  to  swear,  and  had  forgotten  her 
good  advice  ?  Excuse  me.  Master  Larry,  but  railly 
now  it  makes  my  very  heart  ache  to  think  what 


THE  mother's  prater.  59 

Borrow  you  are  bringing  on  your  good  mother,  and 
what  certain  destruction  to  your  own  soul." 

Tom  was  called  away,  leaving  Larry  to  his  own 
reflections,  and  tliey  were  fiir  from  agreeable.  lie 
remembered  his  mother's  prayer ;  every  word  of 
it  seemed  to  come  to  liim  in  letters  of  fire,  burn- 
ing into  his  soul.  Ilia  conscience  was  thoroughly 
awakened.  Was  he  then  going  to  destruction  ? 
Was  tliere  no  hojie  for  him  ?  lie  went  to  his 
chest,  knelt  before  it,  and  took  out  the  neglected 
Bible.  On  opening  it,  one  marked  passage  met  his 
eye  :  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

Larry  dropped  liis  head  upon  his  sea-chest,  and 
the  prayer  came  from  the  depth  of  liis  heart,  "  God 
be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

To  no  mortal  eye  was  the  change  in  Larry  imme- 
diately evident,  l)ut  to  the  All-seeing  Eye  there  was 
a  change,  and  the  good  resolutions  then  and  tliere 
formed  were  sustiuned  and  strengthened  by  God's 
Holy  Spii'it. 


60  I   WILL   BE    A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    VIII, 


HOME. 


The  Captain  paced  his  cabin  with  rapid  strides. 
"..State  after  State  secedes,  LaiTy,"  said  Captain 
Ringbolt.  "  I  have  this  day  received  files  of  news- 
])apers  from  America.  Abraham  Lincoln  of  Illinois  is 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  Jefferson  Davis 
President  of  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy." 

The  Captain  walked  to  and  fro  in  his  cabin  like  a 
caged  tiger. 

"  Shall  we  be  ordered  home  soon  ?  "  asked  Larry. 

"  Home  !  I  have  no  longer  a  home.  Dishonored, 
disgraced  !  Scorned  we  shall  be  by  the  whole  civil- 
ized world.  A  government  the  best  that  existed  on 
earth,  where  every  citizen  was  protected  by  a  Con- 
stitution made  by  the  wisest  of  statesmen,  —  a  gov- 
ernment so  mild,  and  yet  so  strong,  that  it  was,  like 
the  air  we  breathe,  almost  unperceived,  —  such  a 
nation  as  ours  to  be  rent  in  pieces  by  these  abomi- 
nable traitors  !  Larry,  my  boy,  we  've  got  to  fight  for 
our  country,  or  we  shall  have  no  country  at  all." 


HOME.  01 

"  I  am  ready,"  said  Larry,  drawing  his  stout  little 
person  up  to  its  full  height,  and  looking  the  very  im- 
personation of  courage.  The  Captain  smiled,  slapped 
him  on  the  back,  and  conthuicd :  "  There  is  one 
name  we  of  the  navy  must  ever  remember  with 
honor,  —  John  A.  Dix,  now  Secretary  Dix,  who 
sent  a  desjjatch  to  Hemphill  Jones,  '  Shoot  on  the 
spot  any  one  who  attempts  to  haul  down  the  Ameri- 
can flag.'" 

"  Hurrah  for  Dix  !  "  shouted  LaiTy. 

"  Shame,  everlasting  shame,  to  the  commanders  of 
vessels  who  have  surrendered  themselves  and  their 
vessels  to  this  sham  Confederacy !  Some  of  them 
were  my  old  comrades.  My  advices  are  as  late  as 
February  fii-st ;  the  whole  country  is  in  a  ferment, 
as  violent  as  the  sea  in  a  hurricane,  and  nobody  at 
the  helm  of  state  but  a  weak,  irresolute,  vacillating 
old  politician,  who  never  was  a  statesman.  I  have 
half  a  mind  to  sail  without  orders.  But  no;  on 
second  thought,  now  is  the  time  when  orders  should 
be  obeyed ;  we  must  stiuid  by  the  government.  Tliis 
administration  does  not  hist  a  mouth  longer." 

Before  the  end  of  that  memorable  month  the  Juni- 
ata was  ordered  home,  and  great  was  the  joy  of  all 
on  board  at  the  welcome  order. 


62  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

The  voyage  was  prosperous,  and  the  Jiiiilata 
reached  Sandy  Hook  on  the  morning  of  the  15th 
of  April,  1861.  It  was  Larry's  thirteenth  birth- 
day. 

The  pilot  who  came  on  board  at  the  Hook  brought 
the  startling  news  of  the  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter 
on  the  12th,  and  its  surrender  to  the  rebels  on  the 
13  th.  Captain  Ringbolt  read  out,  among  other  ex- 
tracts from  the  "  New  York  Times,"  the  following 
passage : — 

"  The  attack  upon  Fort  Smnter  and  its  surrender, 
instead  of  depressing,  fires  and  animates  all  patriotic 
hearts.  One  deep,  strong,  overpowering  sentiment 
now  sweeps  over  the  whole  community,  —  a  senti*- 
ment  of  determined,  devoted,  active  loyalty.  The  day 
for  the  toleration  of  treason  —  treason  to  the  Con- 
stitution, defiance  to  the  laws  we  have  made  —  has 
gone  by." 

The  consternation  and  excitement  on  board  the 
Juniata  was  absolutely  terrific,  —  a  whirlmnd  of  in- 
tense, passionate  emotion.  Never  did  the  stars  and 
stripes  floating  above  them  seem  half  as  precious 
or  half  as  defiant. 

Captain  Ringbolt  summoned  to  his  cabin  all  the 
officers  of  the  Juniata,  and  offered  strong  resolutions 


HOME.  63 

to  sustain  the  Constitution  and  Government  of  the 
United  States. 

Eveiy  officer  but  one  signed  these  rcsohitions ;  he 
shmk  away,  looking,  Tom  Ilrunt  said,  when  he  saw 
liini  on  deck,  "  like  a  dog  who  had  been  beaten  for 
stealing  beefsteak  from  a  gridiron." 

"  Come,  boy,  you  may  put  your  name  to  these 
resolutions,  for  you  deserve  to  be  an  officer,  and  no 
man  aboard  is  a  truer  patriot,"  said  the  Captain, 
placing  a  pen  in  Larry's  liand. 

With  much  pride,  and  in  Jis  bold  a  handwriting  as 
that  of  John  Iltmcock  on  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, he  wrote,  "  Lawrence  Lockwell." 

Captain  Ringbolt,  as  soon  as  he  landed,  ha.stened 
to  the  Navy-Yard,  tsiking  Lai'ry  with  liim.  There 
they  met  the  Commodore,  still  in  command  of  the 
yard.  The  meeting  between  these  two  devoted 
lovei-s  of  their  country,  attached  as  they  both  were 
to  the  navy,  was  so  touching  that  Larry  was  obliged 
to  hide  his  face  behind  his  cap.  He  need  not  ha\  o 
been  ashamed  of  the  tears  that  he  thus  attempted  to 
conceal. 

After  some  animated  conversation  on  the  fearful 
state  of  the  country,  the  Commodore  inijuired  of 
Larry  how  he  liked  the  sea  and  the  service. 


64  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

Larry  replied :  "  I  like  them,  even  better  than 
I  expected.  I  hope  never  to  leave  the  navy  till  I 
am  too  old  to  be  of  service  to  my  country." 

"  You  will  sail  with  me  again,"  said  Captain  Ring- 
bolt. "  I  find  orders  waiting  here  for  me  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  Cherokee." 

"  Ready  to  sail  in  two  weeks,"  cried  the  Commo- 
dore, in  his  usual  prompt  way. 

"It  was  my  intention  to  procure  you  a  midship- 
man's warrant,  Larry,  but  you  will  go  again  with  me 
as  my  clerk.  Can  you  go  home  and  return  in  time 
to  report  yourself  on  board  the  Cherokee  two  weeks 
from  this  time  ?  " 

"  I  can,  sir.     I  have  only  one  favor  to  ask." 

"  And  what  is  that  ?  " 

"  That  Tom  Brunt,  a  sailor  on  board  the  Juniata, 
may  be  in  the  Cherokee.  He  is  one  of  the  best 
sailors,  and  the  best  fellow  1  know.  He  is  a  temper- 
ance man,  and  as  loyal  as  yourself,  sir." 

"  I  wUl  speak  to  the  sailing-master  to  see  that  he 
sliips  on  board  the  Cherokee." 

«  Thank  you,  sir." 

Captain  Ringbolt  placed  a  number  of  gold  pieces 
in  Larry's  hand,  and  bade  him  "  Good  by."  The 
Commodore  sent  friendly  messages  to  Mr.  Middle- 


HOME.  65 

field,  and,  laying  liis  hand  on  the  boy's  shoulder,  said, 
"Your  recommendation  of  Tom  Brunt,  the  temper- 
ance man,  tells  a  good  story  for  you.  Many  a  fair 
ship  has  gone  to  the  bottom  because  the  sailoi-s  were 
not  temperance  men." 


66  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER   IX 


OUR   ENGLISH   COUSIN. 


Larry  remained  in  New  York  but  a  single  day. 
It  was  a  day  of  intense  excitement.  Major  An- 
derson, from  Fort  Sumter,  was  received  on  that 
memorable  day  by  the  people  of  New  York,  with 
fiery  enthusiasm. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  were  floating  from  private 
dwellings,  warehouses,  and  churches,  and  were 
cheered  by  the  assembled  crowds  as  they  had 
never  been  before. 

The  enthusiasm  of  Larry  was  raised  to  the  highest 
pitch,  when  the  glorious  Massachusetts  Sixth  Regi- 
ment marched  through  the  city  on  its  way  to 
Washington. 

"  The  country  is  in  danger! 
But  swift  the  answer  comes, 
With  the  hum  of  many  voices, 

And  the  distant  beat  of  drums ; 
Ere  the  proclamation's  echo 
Has  died  along  her  shore, 


OUR    ENGLISH    COUSIN.  67 

The  Bay  State  men  are  ready 
To  march  to  Baltimore. 

"  Thej'  come  with  steady  faces, 

With  hearts  both  warm  and  stern, 
Wherein  the  old  patriot  fires 

Have  never  ceased  to  burn ; 
And  the  women  said, '  God  speed  you ! 

We  give  you  up  this  day,'  — 
And  wiped  the  bitter  tear-drops, 

And  remained  at  home  to  pray. 

"  See  the  plough  left  in  the  furrow, 

As  by  Putnam  long  ago ! 
And  the  hammer  on  the  anvil 

Deals  out  no  ringing  blow; 
And  the  mountain  streamlets  murmur 

To  many  an  idle  mill. 
And  the  women  all  are  praying, 

In  the  valley,  on  the  hill. 

"  To  Baltimore!  false  city! 

They  that  founded  her  were  true; 
But  this  perjured  generation 

Found  other  work  to  do. 
The  blood  of  Massachusetts 

Hath  dignified  the  street, 
Which  should  else  bear  down  in  story 

But  the  marks  of  traitor's  feet. 

"  And  now,  0  lift  tliem  gently  1 
And  tenderly  bear  home, 


bo  I   WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

Till  within  the  loved  old  Bay  State 

Her  martyred  sons  have  come. 
Ye  Boston  men  uncover, 

As  the  conquerors  pass  by! 
Grand  and  silent  is  their  triumph, 

Who  for  Liberty  can  die. 

"  Now  out  with  all  the  bunting, 

The  red  and  white  and  blue, 
And  show  the  eyes  of  nations 

What  freedom's  wind  can  do : 
Show  the  strength  of  a  Republic 

Before  the  pride  of  kings ; 
And  in  this  stormy  weather 

Let  the  Eagle  try  her  wings. 

"  The  flagstaffs  will  not  sunder, 

Though  they  sway  and  creak  and  heiul; 
They  will  stand  up  all  the  straighter. 

When  the  blast  is  at  an  end. 
Up !  up !  with  every  banner, 

From  ridgepole  and  from  height ! 
God  for  our  native  country, 

The  Lord  defend  the  right !  " 

Larry  followed  the  Massachusetts  Sixth  in  the 
next  train  but  one  to  Philadelphia.  The  news  of 
the  Baltimore  riot  had  reached  the  city  of  brotherly 
love  by  telegraph,  and  the  streets  were  swarming 
with  a  maddened  crowd.     Scarcely  could  the  boy 


OUR  ENGLISH  cousm.  69 

make  his  way  tlirongli  tlie  tumultuous  throngs  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad. 

"  Oh !  if  I  were  only  a  man,"  thought  he,  "  I 
would  be  the  standard-bearer  for  the  very  next  regi- 
ment that  goes  to  the  defence  of  our  Washington." 

The  train  rushed  over  the  railway,  and  soon  Larry 
reached  Lancaster.  Ilis  grandfather's  place  was  not 
many  miles  from  that  city.  A  Ciirriage  in  waiting 
soon  brought  Larry  to  Chestnut  Hill. 

Already  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  house  was  car- 
peted with  bright  green,  and  the  trees  were  throwing 
out  their  buds  and  blossoms. 

As  he  was  hurrying  up  the  strait  path  leading  to 
the  house,  he  heard  a  cry,  "  Hulloa !  sliipmate  ! " 
Looking  up  to  a  tall  chestnut-tree  not  far  distant,  he 
spied  sometliing  blue ;  what  it  was  he  could  not 
imagine.  Surely  no  bird  was  ever  of  that  size. 
"  "Welcome  home ! "  again  sounded  out  a  shi-ill  cry 
from  the  top  of  the  tree. 

By  this  time  mother  and  grandfather  were  at  the 
door,  and  Larry  hastened  to  receive  their  cordial 
greeting. 

"  "What  is  that  yonder  in  the  big  chestnut-tree  ?  " 
asked  Larry. 

"  Our  blue  bird,"  replied  Mr.  Middlelield,  laugh- 


70  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

ing,  "or,  in  other  words,  our  English  cousin.  But 
come  in ;  where  's  your  luggage  ?  " 

"  Only  the  valise  I  have  in  hand ;  I  left  my  sea- 
chest  to  come  by  the  canal.  It 's  heavy  with  lots  of 
pretty  things  from  Italy." 

Larry's  curiosity  was  soon  gratified. 

Blanche  Mowbray  was  a  cousin  of  Mrs.  LockweU. 
Their  mothers  were  sisters.  The  younger  sister  of 
Mr.  Middlefield  married  an  Englishman,  and  went  to 
England,  where  she  had  passed  the  remainder  of  her 
life.  Blanche  was  left  an  orphan,  and  Mi'S.  LockweU 
had  asked  to  have  her  sent  to  her,  —  a  request 
which  met  with  a  ready  compliance. 

Blanche  had,  meantime,  come  down  from  her  ele- 
vated position,  and  entered  the  parlor,  where  Larry 
was  seated  between  his  mother  and  grandfather, 
each  holding  a  hand  of  the  beloved   sailor-boy. 

The  long,  light  hair  of  the  Enghsh  girl  had  been 
blown  by  the  wind  into  wild  confusion ;  her  jilump 
cheeks  might  well  be  called  "  cherry-cheeks,"  so  deep 
was  their  hue.  Her  dark-blue  eyes  were  fairly 
dancing  with  the  joyousuess  of  healthy,  hoj'denish 
girlhood. 

"  Your  cousin,  Blanche  Mowbray,  Larry,"  said 
]VIr.  Middlefield  rising  and  bowing,  as  he  thus  pre- 
sented his  niece  to  his  grandson. 


OUR   ENGLISH    COUSIN.  71 

"  Your  mamma's  cousin,  only  your  second  cousin  ; 
but  I  am  your  elder  and  superior  in  height,"  said 
Blanche,  pretending  to  look  down  upon  Larry,  with 
a  meiTy  laugh. 

"  My  elder  and  superior,  welcome  to  Chestnut  Ilill, 
and  to  the  very  tip-top  of  the  chestnut-trees."  So 
saying,  he  offered  liis  hand  for  a  friendly  sliake.  But 
to  his  surprise,  Blanche  put  hoth  hands  hehind  her, 
saying,  with  real  or  affected  contempt,  "  I  don't  ac- 
knowledge Yankee  sailors  for  cousins." 

Larry,  who  had  seen  few  specimens  of  girlhood, 
and  had  been  accustomed  to  the  gentleness  and  quiet 
dignity  of  his  mother,  did  not  know  what  to  make  of 
this  remarkable  specimen.  He  muttered,  half  audibly, 
«  She 's  a  real  John  Bull." 

"  My  dear,  go  and  put  yourself  in  order  for  din- 
ner," said  ]\L-s.  Lockwell  to  Blanche. 

The  girl  left  the  room  with  a  hop,  skip,  and  jump, 
strongly  resembling  that  of  a  young  calf 

"Isn't  she  too  funny  for  anything!"  exclaimed 
Larry,  throwing  himself  mto  a  chair,  and  bursting 
into  a  ringing  laugh. 

"  She  has  been  much  neglected,"  remarked  Mrs. 
Lockwell,  mildly. 

"  "\Yhat  a  tiill,  awkward  thing  slie  is ! "  continued 


72  I   AVILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

Larry,  who  did  not  like  the  idea  of  being  looked 
down  upon  by  a  girl.  "  Is  she  really  older  than  I 
am  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Only  one  month  older,  and  very  tall  of  her  age," 
replied  his  grandfather,  and  added,  "  Go  and  change 
your  dress,  Larry,  for  dinner.    DofF  your  sailor  rig." 

"  I  have  n't  another  suit  with  me,  sir,  and  I  must 
have  outgrown  all  I  left  at  home.  But  I  '11  go  and 
make  my  toilet  as  well  as  I  can." 

At  the  dinner-table  Larry  gave  an  account  of  liis 
adventures  on  the  journey  home.  He  described  in 
glowing  colors  the  appearance  of  the  Massachusetts 
regiment  as  it  marched  through  Broadway,  and  his 
fine  eyes  flashed  with  indignation  as  he  spoke  of  its 
reception  by  the  Baltimore  mob. 

"  Served  them  right,-"  muttered  Blanche. 

Larry  was  too  indignant  to  speak  a  woi'd  in 
reply. 

«  Blanche,"  said  IVIr.  Middlefield,  sternly,  "  it  does 
not  become  you  to  speak  your  English  sentiments 
here,  where  we  are  all  attached  to  our  excellent 
government.  You  understand  and  feel  the  senti- 
ment of  loyalty  to  your  Queen :  why  cannot  yoa 
understand  and  admire  our  loyalty  to  the  govern- 
ment and  Constitution  of  our  native  country  ? " 


OUR   ENGLISH    COUSIN.  73 

*'  I  can't  understand  why  those  Southern  people 
have  n't  a  right  to  a  country  of  tlieir  own." 

"  You  can  understand  why  tlie  L-ish  and  the 
Scotch  can't  have  a  country  of  their  own ;  tlicy 
belong  to  Great  Britain.  Sup{x>se  Ireland  or  Scot- 
land were  in  rebellion  ajiainst  the  government, 
would  not  the  English  put  them  down,  —  fight  bravely 
for  their  rights  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure  they  would,"  proudly  replied 
Blanche. 

"  Yes,  indeed  ;  let  Leland  attempt  to  secede,  and 
English  cannon  and  English  bayonets  would  soon 
teach  her  that  secession  was  high  treason,"  said  Mr. 
JMiddlefield,  warmly. 

"  Yes,  but  you  know  the  Irish  are  savage  boors, 
and  so,  I  suppose,  are  the  Nortliern  people  ;  and  the 
English  and  Southerners  are  gentlemen." 

"  Who  taught  you  that  false  notion,  Blanclie?  " 

"  My  uncle  Mowbray ;  he  is  descended  from  a 
noble  family,  but  has  lost  his  estates,  and  is  now  too 
poor  to  live  in  England.  When  be  went  to  tho 
Continent,  he  sent  me  over  here." 

"  To  despise  your  American  relations,"  blurted 
out  Larry,  indignantly. 

"  Come,  come,  childi'en,  don't  quarrel  the  very 
4 


74  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

first  day  of  your  acquaintance,"  said  IVIrs.  Lockwell, 
gently  ;  "  we  will  change  the  subject ;  Larry,  tell  us 
what  you  saw  in  Italy." 

"  Another  time,  mother  dear,  I  am  too  much  agi- 
tated just  now  to  speak  cahnly  of  anything." 

The  remainder  of  the  dinner  passed  off  quietly,  till 
Mr.  Middlefield  filled  his  wine-glass  and  that  of 
Blanche,  and  placed  the  decanter  before  Larry. 

"  Come,  Blanche,  we  will  make  peace  with  you : 
here  's  to  the  Queen  of  England,  Scotland,  L-eland, 
"Wales,  &c.,  &c.     Larry,  you  don't  fill  your  glass." 

"No,  sir." 

«  He 's  a  muff.  Well,  Uncle  Middlefield,  we  will 
drink  the  health  of  Victoria,  —  God  bless  the 
Queen ! "     So  saying,  Blanche  emptied  her  glass. 

"  Now,  Larry,  fill  your  glass.  "We  will  have  the 
Union  and  the  Constitution." 

"  Excuse  me,  sir ;  I  don't  take  wine,"  said 
Larry. 

"  Not  take  wine  !  How  is  that  ?  "  exclaimed  Mr. 
3Iiddlefield,  much  surprised,  and  not  altogether 
pleased. 

"  Because,  grandpa,  I  was  exposed  to  so  much 
temptation  among  the  ofiicers  of  our  ship,  and 
especially  when  on  shore,  that  there  was  no  other 


OUR    ENGLISH    COUSIN.  75 

way  to  avoid  being  occasionally  drunk  (#\liich  T  am 
sorry  to  say  did  happen  to  me  more  than  once) 
than  to  give  up  all  intoxicating  drinks.  I  followed 
Tom  Brunt's  example  in  this  as  in  other  things. 
Mother  dear,  you  don't  how  much  you  are  indebted 
to  that  noble  fellow.  He  was  the  very  best  sailor  on 
board  the  Juniata." 

"  It 's  well  enough  for  him  to  give  up  grog,"  said 
]VIr.  Middlefield  ;  "  but  as  a  gentleman,  and  a  gentle- 
man's son,  it  seems  strange  that  you  should  not  drink 
wine.     Have  you  signed  a  temperance  pledge  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  with  my  hand,  but  I  have  with  my 
heart  and  conscience.  ^Hiy,  sir,  one  of  the  most 
generous-hearted  men  in  our  ship  has  fnllcn  into 
such  habits  of  intemperance  that  he  is  not  fit  for  the 
service.  He  has  ruined  himself,  and  must  either 
resign  or  be  dismissed.  I  found  there  was  no  other 
safety  for  me  but  teetotalism,  for  I  really  like  vawQ 
exceedingly." 

"  You  are  my  brave  son,  my  own  noble  Larry  ! " 
exclaimed  the  mother,  with  tears  of  joy  rolling 
over  her  cheeks.  "  The  greatest  conquest  you  could 
make  is  a  conquest  over  yourself." 

"  Teetotalism  !  A  real  Yankee  notion  !  "  cried 
Blanche,  laughing  scornfully.     I  have  seen  gentle- 


76  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

men  at  my,  uncle's  table  so  drunk  they  could  not 
speak,  even  before  the  ladies  left  the  table,  and  no- 
body thought  the  worse  of  them  for  that." 

"  I  am  glad,  then,  that  I  am  not  an  English  gen- 
tleman ;  a  drunken  gentleman  is  no  better  for  the 
time  being  than  a  drunken  beggar,"  exclaimed 
Larry,  indignantly. 

"  I  see  we  shall  never  agree  in  anything,"  said 
Blanche.  "  You  out- Yankee  all  the  specimens  I 
have  seen  on  the  stage." 

"  I  shall  hope  to  convince  you  of  some  of  your 
errors,  even  during  the  short  time  that  I  remain 
at  home.  You  never  will  make  me  despise  the 
name  of  Yankee.     In  time,  you  will  honor  it." 

"  Never,  never ! "  mterrupted  Blanche,  with  her 
red  lips  pouting  and  her  eyes  darting  a  fierce  glance 
at  Larry.  "  I  heard,  before  I  came  to  this  horrid 
country,  that  the  men  were  half  savage,  and  the 
women  white  squaws." 

Poor  and  dependent  upon  her  uncle  for  the  shelter 
of  his  hospitable  roof,  the  English  prejudices  of 
Blanche  were  continually  obtruding  themselves  upon 
her  kind  relations.  Mr.  lliddlefield,  out  of  pity,  had 
so  far  borne  with  the  young  girl's  contemptuous 
speeches,  and  so  had  the  gentle  Mrs.  Lockwell ;  but 
this  was  too  much. 


OUR    ENGLISH    COUSIN.  77 

"  Blanche  Mowbray !  do  you  know  wliore  you 
are  ?  Do  you  know  who  you  are  ?  *Your  mother 
was  a  Yankee,  —  a  Boston  Yankee,  —  and  a  fairer, 
more  beautiful  woman  never  crossed  the  ocean. 
The  greatest  crime  she  ever  committed  was  marry- 
iu<i:  an  Englishman,  who  has  taught  his  daughter  to 
desj>ise  her  own  kith  and  kin.  Let  me  hear  no  more 
from  you  on  this  subject.  I  will  have  no  traitors  in 
my  house,  foreign  or  domestic." 

Blanche  was  overawed  by  the  vehemence  of  ]\Ir. 
Middlefield ;  still  she  pouted,  and  cast  defiant  glances 
at  Larry. 


78  I   WILL    BE    A    SAIL  OK. 


CHAPTER   X, 


THE    SEA-CHEST. 


With  what  pride  and  pleasure  Larry  opened  his 
favorite  chest ! 

He  had  been  allowed  by  his  kind  Captain  to  visit 
many  places  of  interest,  and  had  joined  a  party  who 
were  gomg  from  Naples  to  Rome. 

Mrs.  Lockwell  had  the  chest  brought  into  the 
dining-room,  to  gratify  Larry,  and  she,  with  Blanche, 
were  present  to  see  its  contents. 

"  There,  mother,  that  picture  of  the  Bay  of  Naples 
is  for  you.  It  is  a  very  good  view  of  the  city,  and 
Vesuvius  in  the  background,"  said  Larry,  handing 
his  mother  a  fine  oil-painting. 

"  Naples  !  "  said  Blanche,  contem^ituously ;  "  it  is 
not  half  as  large  as  London,  nor  half  as  rich,  nor 
half  as  handsome." 

"  You  don't  agree,  then,  with  the  favorite  Italian 
proverb,  '  See  Naples,  and  then  die,'  because  you 
can  see  nothing  finer." 


THE   SEA-CHEST.  79 

"After  London,  every  place  must  look  small," 
replied  Blanche. 

"  But  there  •  you  have  no  such  beautiful  bay  as 
that,  with  its  crescent  of  splendid  buildings,  the  sea 
in  the  distance,  and  that  magnificent  mountain  in  the 
backgi-ound." 

"  But  we  have  the  Thames,  that  beautiful,  far- 
famed  river ! " 

"  River !  what  is  that  insignificant  Thames  to  our 
Hudson,  our  Ohio,  our  Mississippi !  " 

"  Come,  LaiTy,  you  must  not  join  in  a  game  of 
brag,"  said  ]\Irs.  Lockwell.  "  I  am  very  much 
pleased  with  your  gift ;  it  is  very  beautiful." 

"  And  here  are  a  number  of  curiosities  from  Pom- 
peii and  Herculaneum,  for  gnmdpa.  Look  at  that 
bronze  stork  standing  on  one  slender  leg,  with  a 
snake  in  her  mouth  ;  is  n't  she  a  fine  bird  ?  " 

"  0,  they  make  prettier  things  in  bronze  at 
Brummagem,  —  a  thousand  times  prettier,"  said 
Blanche,  proudly. 

Larry  could  not  help  laughing  merrily  at  this  out- 
and-out  English  notion. 

"  Well,  here  is  something  they  don't  make  at 
Brummagem  ;  a  set  of  pink  coral,  —  necklace,  brace- 
lets, ear-rings,  comb,  and  brooch.     Mother,  I  forgot 


80  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

that  you  never  wore  coral  ornaments ;  I  was  so 
much  pleased  with  their  beauty  that  I  bought  them. 
Blanche,  I  did  not  know  then  that  I  had  a  cousin 
whom  they  would  become.  Will  you  do  me  the 
favor  to  accept  these  corals  ?  " 

Blanche  was  quite  taken  by  surprise  ;  her  face 
and  neck  became  of  a  deeper  red  than  the  corals. 
She  hesitated,  with  her  hands  held  behind  her,  while 
Larry  offered  her  the  pretty  box  in  which  the  orna- 
ments lay  on  shining  white  satin. 

"  "What !  not  accept  my  simple  gift  ?  '  Why,  then 
I  am  indeed  unblest,'  "  quoted  Larry,  in  mock-heroic 
style. 

"  You  are  too  generous  ;  I  never  had  as  valuable 
a  present  in  my  life,"  replied  Blanche,  dropping  her 
hands  by  her  side,  while  her  haughty  nature  was 
struggling  with  the  desii'e  to  possess  the  corals. 

"  Take  the  box,  Blanche,"  said  Mi'S.  Lockwell ; 
"  you  know  I  cannot  wear  corals." 

Blanche  took  it,  and  muttered  her  thanks  so  indis- 
tinctly that  they  did  not  reach  the  ear  of  the  donor. 

"  But,  mother,  you  do  wear  jet,  and  here  is  a  jet- 
cross  I  brought  you  from  Rome.  You  will  wear 
that  for  my  sake." 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  boy,  I   do  not    reject  the 


THE    SEA-CHEST.  81 

sacred  symbol,  and  shall  wear  it  reverentially.  I  am 
afraid,  Larry,  you  spent  too  miicli  money  al)road  i\n- 
your  small  means." 

"  All  my  own,  mother ;  Captain  Ringbolt  paid  his 
clerk  liberally." 

Blanche  dissappearcd  for  a  few  moments,  and  re- 
turned bringing  in  her  hand  a  book  bound  in  green 
morocco,  entitled  "  A  Picture  of  London."  It  was  a 
guide-book  for  that  city  and  its  environs,  witli  views 
of  all  the  principal  edifices,  squares,  and  monuments, 
and  a  fine  map.  It  seemed  to  have  been  much  used, 
and  indeed  it  had  been  by  Blanche,  for  she  had  never 
been  in  London  herself  It  was  her  most  precii)us 
possession,  and  she  felt  relieved  from  too  burdensome 
A  weight  of  obligation  when  she  had  given  it  to 
Larry.     He  accepted  it  graciously. 

Larry  liad  remembered  every  servant  in  the  fam- 
ily, and  enjoyed  their  surprise  and  pleasure  at  the 
proofs  of  his  kind  remembrance  and  In's  generosity. 


4* 


82  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


HEROES. 


The  miniature  frigate  Constitution  had  been  care- 
fully put  away  by  Mrs.  Lockwell.  On  examination, 
Larry  found  that  he  had  made  but  few  mistakes  in 
the  hull  or  in  the  rigging ;  these  mistakes  he  could 
not  rectify  without  taking  the  whole  ship  to  pieces. 
He  therefore  wisely  determined  to  let  it  alone. 

About  a  week  after  Larry's  return  home,  a  large 
parcel  arrived  for  him  by  express  from  New  York. 

"  My  Captain  says  I  may  wear  the  navy  blue  and 
the  buttons  too,  for  he  considers  me  the  same  as  in  a 
naval  school,  and  it  is  the  best  school  I  could  have 
preparatory  to  being  a  midshipman.  Mother,  would 
you  like  to  see  your  sailor-boy  hi  his  new  sea-rig  ?  " 

"  I  should ;  go  and  prepare  yourself  for  exhibition 
while  we  adjourn  to  the  parlor,"  was  the  reply. 

Larry  had  gained  in  height  during  his  absence. 
His   round  jacket  set  off  his  well-formed  person ; 


HEROES.  83 

his  face,  though  browned  by  exposure,  glowed  with 
health  and  high  spirits,  and  his  line  eyes  sparkled 
with  mingled  fun  and  exultation  as  he  came  into  tlie 
paiior,  making  a  low  bow  ;  then,  drawing  himself  u]), 
he  exclaimed,  "I  intend  never  to  disgrace  these 
buttons ! " 

Blanche  could  not  help  admiring  the  sailor-boy, 
but  her  lip  curled  contemptuously  as  she  whispered, 
"  The  buttons  disgrace  you." 

Had  she  not  been  a  girl,  his  quick  temper  might 
have  led  him  to  resent  this  insult  to  the  navy  with  a 
blow ;  a  hand-to-hand  fight  would  have  ensued,  for 
Blanche  was  a  "tom-boy,"  and  could  use  firits  as 
effectually  as  she  did  her  tongue. 

As  it  was,  Larry  partiiUly  swallowed  down  his 
resentment,  and  exclaimed,  "  Blanche  !  you  make 
me  almost  hate  the  English,  who  ever  ought  to  be 
our  truest  and  best  friends ! " 

"  Yes  indeed,"  said  Mr.  Middlefield,  warmly ; 
"  according  to  their  own  i)rinc"ii)les,  noble  princii>les, 
upon  which  they  have  heretofore  acted,  they  ought 
earnestly  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  North ;  and  I 
believe  it  is  for  their  interest  too." 

"  Then  they  sacrifice  for  us  both  interest  and  jirin- 
cipal  (principle),"  said  Larry.     "  How  generous  1 " 


84  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  There  goes  the  bell  for  dinner ;  let  us  discuss 
that,  and  let  England  and  the  English  alone  for  the 
present."  So  saying,  Mr.  Middlefield  led  the  way  to 
the  dining-room. 

"  Yankees  would  find  England  too  strong  and 
tough  for  their  digestion,  if  they  were  to  meddle  with 
her,"  whispered  Blanche  to  Larry,  as  they  walked 
side  by  side. 

"  Our  Northwestern  States  would  swallow  the 
little  island  for  a  single  mouthful ;  they  would  n't 
mind  it  any  more  than  I  would  mind  swallowing  a 
cheiTy." 

"  You  mean  they  are  big  enough  for  that ;  but  a 
big  bully  may  be  beaten  by  a  scientific  boxer." 

"  Good  for  you,  Blanche ;  but  suppose  the  big  bully 
gains  skill  as  well  as  strength." 

Soon  after  they  were  seated  at  table,  a  Philadel- 
phia daily  was  brought  in. 

"  "Washington  is  safe ! "  exclaimed  ]\Ir.  Middlefield. 
"  Our  brave  volunteers  have  marched  to  its  defence 
from  all  parts  of  the  North.  The  glorious  New 
York  Seventh  can  no  more  be  called  a  dandy  regi- 
ment. Their  march  to  the  capital  will  make  a 
grand  incident  in  the  future  liistory  of  our  country." 

*'  Yes ;  how   they  helped  those  brave   Massachu- 


HEROES.  85 

setts  men  to  food,  who  were  half  starving,  and  who 
had  worked  day  and  night  on  the  railroad.  What  a 
glorious  tiling  it  is  to  be  soldier  or  sailor,  and  to  tight 
in  a  good  cause!  I  should  like  to  have  been  with 
the  Scots  at  Bannockburn." 

"  Now  you  say  that,  Larry,  just  to  provoke  me," 
said  Blanche ;  "  and  uncle  speaks  of  the  march  of  the 
Seventh  Regiment  to  Washington  as  though  it  were 
as  grand  an  achievement  as  tlie  retreat  of  Xenophon 
with  his  ten  thousand." 

"  And  why  not,  Blanche  ?  can  you  have  no  admi- 
ration, no  enthusiasm,  for  those  brave  men  who  ai'C 
acting  in  the  living  present?" 

"  Yes,  I  admire  the  daring  of  the  noble  *  six  hun- 
dred '  at  Sevastopol.     You  never  can  match  that !  " 

"  Indeed,  we  can  overmatch  it.  When  the  history 
of  this  war  comes  to  be  written,  deeds  of  n<»l)le  daring 
will  then  excite  your  most  glowing  admiration.  You 
can  appreciate  magnanimity  and  true  heroism :  you 
ought  to  see  my  Commodore  ;  he  is  every  inch  a 
hero." 

"  But,  Larry,  this  is  a  civU  war,  such  as  we  do  not 
have  in  England." 

"  Not  just  at  present ;  but  what  were  the  wai-s 
between  Cavaliers  and  Roundheads,  between  York 


86  I   "WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

and  Lancaster,  the  '45,  and  many  others,  but 
civil  wars  ?  You  speak  as  though  such  a  thing  as 
civil  war  had  never  been  heard  of  in  England,  and 
bitterly  condemn  us  for  putting  down  a  rebellion  far 
worse  than  the  Irish  rebellion." 

"  Well,  well,  you  may  talk  till  you  are  gray, 
Larry,  and  you  never  will  convince  me  that  there 
is  anything  heroic  in  Yankee  character." 

"  I  hope  to  prove  it  by  deeds,  and  not  words," 
replied  Larry,  with  strong  emotion. 

Two  weeks  had  passed  rapidly  away.  The  time 
had  come  for  Larry  to  leave  his  hoine  again  to 
embark  on  the  uncertain  ocean.  His  good  mother 
earnestly  and  trustfully  commended  her  boy  to  the 
care  of  Him  who  "  ruleth  the  raging  of  the  sea,  and 
stilleth  the  waves  thereof  when  they  arise." 

"  When  I  plead  the  cause  of  sailors,"  said  the 
eloquent  Melville,  "it  seems  to  me  as  though  the 
hun-icane  and  the  battle,  the  ocean  with  its  crested 
billows,  and  war  with  its  magnificently  stem  retinue, 
met  and  mingled  to  give  force  to  the  appeal.  It 
seems  as  though  stranded  navies,  the  thousands  who 
have  gone  down  with  the  waves  for  their  winding- 
,«heet,  and  who  await  in  unfathomable  caverns  the 
shrill  ti'umpet-peal  of  the  archangel,  rose  to  admonish 


iiiiuoKS.  87 

us  of  the  vast  debt  we  owe  those  brave  fellows  who 
are  contmually  jeoparding  their  lives  in  our  service. 
And  then  there  comes  before  me  the  imagery  of  a 
mother,  who  has  parted  with  many  tears  and  many 
forebodings  from  lier  sailor-boy ;  whose  thoughts 
have  accompanied  him  as  none  but  those  of  ti  mother 
can,  in  liis  long  wanderings  over  the  deep ;  and  who 
would  rejoice  with  all  a  mother's  gladness  to  know 
'  that  he  had  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the 
hope  set  before  him,  which  hope  we  have  as  an 
anchor  of  the  soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast,  and  whicli 
entereth  into  that  within  the  veil.' " 

Thus  did  Mrs.  Lockwell  part  with  her  sailor-boy. 

Larry  went  to  seek  Blanche,  to  bid  her  "  fiire- 
well."  He  found  her  in  the  parlor,  seated  at  the 
piano,  and  stopped  in  mute  astonishment  to  hear 
her  singing  the  following,  from  Drake's  "  American 
Flag":  — 

"  Flag  of  the  seas !  on  ocean's  wave, 
Thy  stars  shall  glitter  o'er  the  brave; 
When  death,  careering  on  the  gale, 
Sweeps  darkly  round  the  bellied  sail, 
And  frighted  waves  rush  wildly  back 
Before  the  broadside's  reeling  rack, 
Each  dying  wanderer  of  the  sea 
Shall  look  at  once  to  heaven  and  thee, 


88  I   WILT.    BE   A    SAILOR. 

And  smile  to  see  thy  splendors  fly 
In  triumph  o'er  his  closing  eye ! 

Flag  of  the  free  heart's  hope  and  home, 
By  angel  hands  to  valor  given ; 

Thy  stars  have  lit  the  welkin  dome, 
And  all  thy  hues  were  bom  in  heaven. 

Forever  float  that  standard  sheet 
Where  breathes  the  foe  that  falls  before  us, 

With  Freedom's  soil  beneath  our  feet. 
And  Freedom's  banner  streaming  o'er  us." 

It  was  Larry's  favorite  song ! 

The  voice  of  Blanche  trembled  as  she  sang  the 
last  line,  and  when  she  had  touched  the  last  note 
she  covered  her  face,  and  unbidden  tears  came  to 
her  eyes. 

Larry  stepped  lightly  to  her  side,  touched  his  lips 
gently  to  her  forehead,  and,  without  speaking  a  word, 
left  the  room  ;  a  few  moments  after  he  was  hux'rying 
away  from  Chestnut  Hill. 


LETTER    FROM    LARRY.  89 


CHAPTER    XII. 

LETTER    FROM    LARRY. 

On  board  the  Clierokee,  Potomac  River. 

Dear  Folks  at  Home  :  I  have  seen  figliting ; 
I  have  heard  for  the  first  time  the  firing  of  sheila. 

0  it  is  awful,  tremendous,  but  exciting  beyond  every- 
thing ! 

We  went  to  find  out  what  the  Rebels  were  doing 
on  shore,  —  a  party  of  soldiers  and  sailors  in  boats, 
—  and  I  was  allowed  to  go  with  thcni.  They  —  the 
Rebels  —  were  as  busy  as  ants  on  an  ant-hill,  erecting 
batteries.  But  we  made  them  scamper ;  that  is,  the 
shells  of  the  Cherokee  being  thrown  among  them,  they 
were  glad  to  skedaddle,  and  left  us  to  destroy  the 
battery  they  had  begun. 

You  would  have  been  amused  to  see  Tom  Brunt 
riding  off  with  a  horse  that  he  found  all  equipped. 
Tom  got  a  wound  in  his  hand  from  a  revolver,  which, 

1  suppose,  was   fired  at  him  by  the  owner  of  tlic 
horse.     I  bound  it  up  immediately  with  my  hand- 


90  1   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

kerchief.     After  this,  I  mean  to  have  two  or  three 
extra  handkerchiefs   in   my  pockets. 

The  enemy  soon  began  to  muster  in  great  numbers, 
and  we,  having  accomplished  the  purpose  for  which 
we  landed,  hastened  to  our  boats.  But  we  were 
obhged  to  put  off  before  all  the  men  had  reached 
the  boats,  and  one  of  our  officers  swam  to  the  boat  I 
was  in,  with  a  soldier  on  his  back,  who  held  fast  to 
his  musket.  We  helped  them  into  the  boat.  Though 
balls  were  whizzing  about  them  like  hail,  they 
escaped  without  harm.  One  ball  went  through  the 
cap  of  the  soldier.  Tom  Brunt's  horse  was  sent  to 
"Washington  as  a  prize,  and  the  good  fellow  was 
highly  delighted  with  the  praise  he  received  from 
the  officer  in  command  of  the  boat-expedition. 

I  hope  Cousin  Blanche  is  quite  Americanized  by 
this  time.  I  could  not  understand  why  she  was  so 
deeply  affected  while  singing  Drake's  "American 
Flag."  I  have  pondered  much  and  often  upon  it, 
and  cannot  solve  the  mystery.  She  was  so  fiercely 
English  that  I  cannot  believe  in  her  sudden  conver- 
sion. I  thank  my  dear  mother  for  sparing  me  from 
our  home.  I  try  to  remember  her  good  advice.  I 
know  I  have  her  prayers.  Grandpa  will  receive 
with  this  a  note  from  Captain  Eingbolt.     Our  Cap- 


LETTER    FROM    LARRY.  91 

tain  is  as  brave  as  Lawrence,  as  fearless  as  Bain- 
bridge,  and  as  patriotic  as  grandpa  himself. 

With  undying  love  for  all  of  you,  my  dear  ones  at 
Chestnut  Hill, 

Yours, 

Larry  Lockwell. 

note  from  capt^un  ringbolt. 

On  board  the  Cherokee,  Potomac  River,  1861. 

Hon.  Stark  Middlefield  : 
Dear  Sir  :  It  gives  me  gi-eat  pleasure  to  in- 
form you  that  your  grandson  Lawrence  Lockwell 
has  shown  himself  one  of  the  bravest  of  the 
brave,  during  a  recent  raid  upon  tlie  Rebels. 
His  courage  is  of  the  right  sort,  not  rashness  or 
foolhardiness.  You  have  reason  to  be  proud  of 
the  boy.  I,  as  liis  adopted  fiither,  glory  in  him, 
and  trust  he  may  be  spared  to  command  one  of 
the  best  ships  tliat  ever  sailed  under  the  Hag 
of    the    Union. 

With  great  regai'd,  truly  yours. 

Hector  Ringbolt. 

"Americanized!  no  indeed!"  exclaimed  Bhuichc, 
after    she    had    heard    Mr.    Middlelield    read    out 


92  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

tlie  letter  and  note.  "  I  cried  to  think  Larry- 
might  be  killed,  but  I  am  English  still  to  the 
heart's  core.  I  am  glad,  however,  that  Larry  was 
brave,  for  I  hate  cowards." 

"It  is  the  most  unexpected  thing  in  the  world 
to  us,  next  to  the  rebellion  itself,  that  the  Eng- 
lish people,  any  of  them,  high  or  low,  rich  or 
poor,  should  have  taken  part  with  seceding  States, 
when  they  were  unwilling  to  give  up  a  foot  of 
their  o^vn  territory,  even  were  it  a  desolate  rock 
in   the   midst   of   the   ocean." 

''  Do  you  mean  St.  Helena,  where  we  shut  up 
Bonaparte  to  keep  him  from  mischief?" 

"  I  had  not  St.  Helena  in  mind.  But,  Blanche, 
we  will  not  agitate  that  question ;  I  only  wisli 
the  leaders  of  rebellion  were  as  closely  confined 
as  Bonaparte  was  at  Longwood,  and  had  a  Sir 
Hudson   Lowe   for  their  jailer." 


TOM  uuuxt's  sistkr.  93 


C  II  AFTER    XIII. 


TOM     BUUNTS     SISTER. 


The  summer  months  had  passed  away,  and  tlie 
blasts  of  autumn  were  already  sprinkling  the  lawu 
at  Chestnut  Hill  mth  yellou',  crimson,  luul  brown 
from  the  old  trees,  but  no  news  came  from  Larry. 
Of  course  there  was  great  anxiety  felt  by  the  ti-io 
at  the  Hill. 

One  moiTiing,  after  breakfast,  Blanche  was 
missing.  She  had  taken  her  sun-bonnet  in  hand, 
had  run  dovra  tiie  lawn  and  out  of  the  gate,  as 
swiftly  as   a   deer  with   the  hunters    in  full  chase. 

She  kept  up  this  rapid  pace  till  she  reached 
the   cottage   of  Tom  Brunt's   sister,  Mercy  Brunt. 

Now  Blanche  was  an  entire  stranger  to  ]\Ior<-y, 
but  she  had  not  a  particle  of  bashl'ulncss  in  her 
composition ;  so  she  knocked  at  the  cottage-door 
without  the  last  hesitation.  She  was  going  to 
see  a  poor  person,  as  she  thought,  and  there- 
fore   assumed    a    condescending,     patronizing     air. 


94  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

Mercy  opened  the  door,  which  led  directly  into 
the   front  room. 

"  I  am  INIiss  Blanche  Mowbray,  and  I  have 
come  to  inquire  if  you  have  heard  lately  from 
your   sailor-brother,"   said   she. 

"  Please  walk  in.  Miss  Mowbray,  and  take  a 
seat ;  you  seem  quite  out  of  breath."  So  saying, 
Mei'cy  handed   a  chair. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  have  n't  heard  from  Tom 
since  he  left  home." 

"  Then  you  have  not  heard  how  brave  he  was 
on   a   certain   occasion  ? " 

"Not  a  word." 

Blanche  told  what  Larry  had  written  in  his 
letter  from  on  board  the  Cherokee,  and  received 
many    thanks    from    Mercy    for    the    good    news. 

Mercy  seated  herself  by  her  sewing-machine, 
and  continued  her  work,  with  an  apology  for  the 
noise  the  machine  made.  It  was  a  novelty  to 
Blanche,  and  she  had  many  questions  to  ask  about 
it.  They  were  answered  clearly  and  intelli- 
gently. 

Blanche  looked  ai'ound  the  neat  apartment.  The 
floor  was  covered  with  a  bright-striped  home-made 
carpet.      In  the    fireplace  were  branches  of  white 


TOM    nUUNX's    SISTER,  95 

coral  and  beautiful  sea-shells,  brought  from  the 
Indian  Ocean  by  Tom.  Tlie  chairs  were  cush- 
ioned, the  covers  of  the  cushions  being  pieced 
out  of  small  bits  of  brilliant-colored  woollen  stuffi. 
In  the  centre  of  the  room,  on  an  old-fashioned 
mahogany  table,  were  a  number  of  books,  a  large 
family  Bible,  "  Pai'adise  Lost,"  Cowper's  Poems, 
several  volumes  of  sennons,  Longfellow's  Poems, 
and  several  other  books  by  English  and  Ameri- 
can authoi-s.  Blanche  examined  them  with  in- 
terest and  curiosity.  She  thought  she  was  going 
to  visit  a  poor  person,  and  associated  ignorance 
with   poverty  as   a   matter  of  course. 

"I  suppose  you  are  quite  familiar  with  ;ill 
those  works,"  said  Mercy  Blunt,  as  Bknche  was 
turning   them   over. 

"  Whose  ai'e  they  ? "  demanded  Blanche,  ab- 
ruptly. 

"They  have  the  author's  names,  I  believe, 
all   of  them,"   replied  Mercy. 

"  I  mean,  —  that  is,"  said  Blanche,  sliglitly 
embarrassed,   "  who   reads   them   here  ? " 

"  I  read  them ;  reading  is  my  great  resource ; 
I  should  be  very  lonely  without  books,"  was  tho 
reply. 


96  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  And   do   you   live   all    alone  ? " 

"  Not  entirely ;  I  have  a  faithful  colored  wo- 
man, who  has  been  in  our  family  many  years,  and 
Tom  is  at  home  every  now  and  then.  I  wish 
I  could  know  where  he  is  now ;  but  he  is  in 
God's  own  good  keeping,  and  I  have  reason  to 
beheve  he  is  safe,  living  or  dying.  When  he 
was  home  the  last  time  he  made  me  a  birth- 
day present  of  this  sewing-machine ;  it  was  my 
twenty-ninth  birthday ;  I  am  ten  yeai'S  older 
than  Tom.  My  poor  brother  was  left  to  my 
care  when   he   was   very  young." 

"  But  how  can  you  find  so  much  sewing  to 
do  for  yourself,  when  that  thing  works  as  fast 
as   a  windmill   in  a  gale  ? " 

"  I  have  very  little  to  do  for  myself ;  I  sew 
for   my   living." 

This  was  said  so  simply  and  so  unreservedly 
that  Blanche  was  quite  taken  by  surprise.  She 
never  before  had  felt  such  respect  for  a  person 
who  "  worked  for  her  hving."  Just  as  if  every- 
body in  this  world  did  not  work  in  some  way 
for  a  living !  The  idlers  being  generally  the 
hardest   workers   to   "kill   time." 

"You   are   looking   quite   earnestly   at   that   en- 


TOM  bkuxt's  sister.  97 

graving  of  Longfellow,"  said  Mercy.  "  Are  }(>u 
a   lover   of  his   poetry  ? " 

"  I  never  heard  his  name  before ;  it  is  a  jolly 
one." 

"Jolly!"  said  Mercy,  with  a  smile;  "he  is  not 
a  jolly  poet,  but  a  fine,  moral  poet^  quite  equal 
to  Cowper,  if  not  superior.  His  poetry  is  a  real 
tonic,  —  so    strengthening." 

"  An  American  poet  ? "  questioned  Blanche, 
superciliously. 

"  Yes,  one  of  our  very  best  poets ;  please  take 
the  two  volumes  home  with  you  to  read,  Mha 
Mowbray,  if  you  don't  hajjpen  to  have  them  in 
the    library   at    Chestnut    Hill." 

Scarcely  anytliing  could  have  surprised  Blanche 
more  than  this  oflTer  to  lend  her,  Aliss  BLmche 
]\Iowbray,  —  to  lend  lier  liooks,  —  the  books  of 
a  poor  seamstress !  She,  however,  declined  the 
offer  Avith  some  degi'cc  of  civilif}',  and  INIercy, 
who  was  occupied  with  her  sewing-machine,  did 
not   see  the  haughty  toss  of  IMiss   Blanche's  liead. 

As    she    was    yet    standing    by    the    contro-falih', 

an    inner   d<x)r  was   ojiened,   and    a   strange   figure 

appeared   with    a   plate,   upon    which   was   a   glass 

of  water.     Milly,  the  old  servant  of  whom  Mercy 

5  a 


98  I   WILL    BE   A   SAILOR. 

had  spoken,  was  a  dumpy  little  body.  Her  hair, 
almost  "white,  stood  out  upon  her  head  in  all 
directions,  forming  a  strange  contrast  to  her  very 
dark   face. 

She  approached  Blanche,  and,  dropping  a  low 
courtesy,  said^  "  Have  a  glass  of  cold  water, 
Missy  ?  " 

Blanche  was  terrified  at  this  novel  sight,  and, 
snatching  the  glass,  threw  it  directly  in  the  face 
of  the  old  negress ;  then,  opening  the  door,  the 
frightened  girl  fled  from  the  cottage,  and  ran,  with- 
out slackening  her  pace,  till  she  reached  Chest- 
nut Hill. 

"  Oh  dear ! "  she  exclaimed,  throwing  hereelf 
upon  a  sofa  in  the  parlor,  where  Mrs.  Lockwell 
•was  sitting.      "  Oh  dear ! " 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Blanche  ? "  asked  INIrs. 
Lockwell,  alarmed. 

"  Oh !  I  have  seen  the  most  frightful  Ameri- 
can  savage." 

"  Savage  !   Wliere  ?  "   exclaimed  Mrs.   Lockwell. 

"  At  Mercy  Brunt's.  I  never  was  so  friglit- 
ened  in  my  life.  I  had  heard  and  read  of 
savages  before,  but  I  never  conceived  of  anything 
60  perfectly   diabolical." 


TOM  brunt's  sister.  99 

"  It  must  have  been  poor  old  Milly ;  as  harmless 
a  creature  as  ever  breathed,"  said  Mrs.  Lockwell, 
laughing  heartily.  "  And  what  did  she  do  or  say  to 
you,  Blanche?" 

"  She  came  towards  me  with  a  glass  of  water,  and 
I  was  so  terrified  that  I  threw  it  in  her  face,  glass 
and  all,  and  then  ran  home  for  dear  life." 

"  Blanche,  I  am  jushamed  of  you  !  So,  then,  you 
have  made  the  acquaintance  of  Mercy  Brunt.  A 
very  valuable  woman  she  is ;  and,  though  she  keeps 
herself  quietly  at  home  generally,  she  is  known  to 
everybody  in  the  village.     What  will  she  think  of 

you?" 

"  Cousin,  one  thing  surprised  me,  —  not  one  tln'ng 
alone,  —  but  what  surprised  me  most  was  lier  lan- 
guage. Why,  she  speaks  as  good  English  as  I 
dof" 

"  And  is  that  so  very  strange  ?  " 

"  Yes,  uideed  ;  I  thought  poor  i)eople  here  would 
speak  a  sort  of  American  language,  as  diificult  to 
understand  as  the  Yorkshire  wth  its,  —  I  mean  the 
educated  classes,  in  England." 

"  And  we  thought  our  English  cousin  would  say, 
*  'Am  hand  heggs,  Hingland  and  llamerica,  and  'Ow 
hare  you?'" 


100  I   "WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

"  I  am  not  a  Cockney,"  said  Blanche,  proudly ; 
"  my  relations  were  all  well  born  and  well  bred." 

"  Mercy  Brunt  is  a  Yankee  from  Down-East,  as 
we  sometimes  term  a  part  of  New  England.  She 
may  have  worked  in  a  Lowell  factory  for  aught  I 
know.  At  any  rate,  she  has  had  the  advantage  of 
common  schools,  and  is  a  great  reader.  Her  brother 
Tom,  having  come  to  this  part  of  the  country  when 
quite  young,  and  being  obliged  to  work  hard,  has  not 
had  the  same  advantages  as  his  sister ;  but  he  is  a 
good  fellow,  and  has  been  of  infinite  service  to  my 
Larry.  See  how  influence  extends.  Mercy's  in- 
fluence over  her  brother  has  been  most  beneficial, 
and  has  thus  extended  to  another,  and  wUl  extend  in 
a  widening  circle,  like  that  when  a  pebble  is  di'opped 
in  the  water." 

"  This  seems  veiy  strange.  I  thought  influence 
was  downward,  from  the  rich  and  high  in  station  to 
the  poor  and  low-born,"  said  Blanche. 

"  Ah,  my  dear  child,  you  have  many  things  yet  to 
learn.  Well  is  our  humble  friend  named  Mercy,  for 
she  is  a  general  benefactress,  —  first,  by  her  lovely 
example,  and  then  by  going  about  doing  good,  like 
her  blessed  Master.  If  any  one  is  dangerously  ill  in 
our  village,  Mercy  is  sent  for ;  she  is  a  tender,  gen- 


TOM    brunt's    sister.  101 

tie,  and  judicious  nurse.  AVlien  licr  poor  neighbors 
want  advice  about  their  worklly  affairs,  or  their  spir- 
itual interests,  they  ask  it  of  Mercy  Brunt ;  and  no 
one  is  better  able  to  give  the,  advice  they  need. 
She  is  universally  known  and  respected." 

"  You  surprise  me ;  I  never  heard  of  a  person 
working  for  her  daily  bread,  who  could  hold  such  a 
position.     She  could  not  do  it  in  England." 

"  Position  !  Mercy  never  thinks  of  position  !  She 
does  the  duty  that  lies  nearest  to  her  from  day  to 
dny,  and  is  contented  and  cheerful  in  tlie  station 
Providence  allots  to  her." 

"  I  should  not  think  she  could  be  cheerful,  living 
in  the  house  with  that  frightful  negro  woman.  I 
would  not  sleep  in  the  same  house  with  that  horrible 
wretch  for  millions." 

"  Horrible  wretch  !  she  is  one  of  the  kindest  crea- 
tures in  the  world.  She  had  nothing  to  give  you  but 
a  '  cuji  of  cold  water,'  and  you  threw  it  in  her  face. 
Now  wliich  showed  the  most  genume  jKilitcness,  you 
or  poor  old  black  Milly  ?  " 

"  Politeness !  0  cousin,  you  can't  call  anything 
such  a  creature  does,  politeness  ;  I  should  sooner 
think  of  calling  a  horse  or  a  dog  polite." 

"  Christian  politeness,  or  charity,  is  confined  to  no 


102  I   WILL   BE    A   SAILOR. 

station,  age,  sex,  or  color.  Milly  is  polite  after  her 
fashion  ;  her  manners  are  better  than  those  of  many 
persons  I  could  name." 

"  This  is  a  strange  country  !  I  can't  understand 
its  ways  at  all.  A  woman  who  earns  her  living  by 
sewing,  influential  and  respectable  !  —  a  horrible,  old 
negro,  a  pattern  of  politeness ! "  And  Blanche  fell 
into  a  fit  of  immoderate  laughter,  while  Mrs.  Lock- 
well  regarded  her  with  as  much  sternness  as  her 
gentle  nature  would  allow. 


GOING   ASHORE.  103 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


GOING    ASHOUE. 


LETTER  FROM  TOM  BRUNT   TO   HIS  SISTER. 

On  board  the  Cherokee,  Potomac  River. 

My  dear  Sister:  The  Chaplain  of  our  ship 
is  so  kind  as  to  write  this  letter  for  me,  my  right 
hand  not  serving  me  at  present.  I  lost  a  fuiger  some 
months  ago;  you  may  have  heard  of  it  through 
Master  Lawrence  Lockwell.  I  \\dsh  I  could  tell  you 
where  that  brave  boy  is  now.  lie  bound  up  my 
hand  when  it  was  shot,  and  he  was  always  doing  me 
some  kindness.  O  how  I  miss  him  !  I  pray  for  him 
every  day,  —  many  times  a  day,  —  for  he  is  among 
the  Rebels! 

We  went  ashore  in  a  boat,  about  a  dozen  of  us, 
in  what  seemed  a  safe  place,  just  to  make  wliat  they 
call  a  reconnoissance.  Larry  begged  to  go  with  us, 
an(^  our  Captain  gave  him  leave,  somewhat  unwill- 
ingly- 

No  sooner  had  we  landed  than  out  flashed  from  a 


104  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

sand  bank,  that  looked  for  all  the  world  as  harmless 
as  the  hill  behind  our  house,  —  out  flashed  big  guns, 
and  balls  fell  all  round  us,  knocking  over  one  man  at 
the  very  first  fire.  I  tell  you  what !  those  masked 
battei'ics  are  not  to  be  sneezed  at ;  they  are  like 
wolves  in  sheep's  clothing. 

When  we  found  that  the  Rebels  were  there  by  hun- 
dreds, we  were  ordered  to  our  boat,  and  ran  for  it, 
for  there  was  a  tremendous  firing  upon  us ;  and  what 
could  men  do,  with  only  muskets  and  revolvers 
against  those  big  guns  ?  So  we  all  got  on  board,  as 
we  thought,  but  the  man  that  was  killed,  as  we  sup- 
posed, and,  I  am  sorry  to  add,  Master  Larry. 

I  begged  the  boatswain  to  put  back  for  him ;  we 
could  see  him  kneeling  by  the  side  of  the  man  who 
had  fallen ;  but  the  sailors  were  rowing  as  fast  as 
possible,  and  would  not  stop. 

"  The  boy  will  be  taken  prisoner ;  the  sailor  is 
killed."  That  was  all  the  midshipman  in  command 
would  say,  and  we  pushed  for  the  Cherokee,  that  was 
about  a  mile  below. 

When  we  reported  to  the  Captain,  he  ordered 
shells  to  be  fired  into  the  battery,  and  even  without 
glasses,  from  the  maintop,  we  could  see  the  Rebels 
scattering.     What  became  of  Master  Larry  we  don't 


GOING   ASHORE.  105 

know.     We  do  know,  however,  a  little  more  about 
hira. 

The  sailor  by  whom  Larry  was  kneeling  was 
badly  wounded  in  the  leg.  You  know  how  skil- 
fully Larry  bound  up  my  hand  when  my  finger  Avas 
shot  off.  Just  so  he  was  doing  now,  tying  a  hand- 
kerchief above  the  wound  to  keep  the  blood  from 
flownig,  otherwise  the  sailor  would  have  bled  to  death. 
I  had  the  account  of  it  from  Amos  Molius,  the  sailor 
liimself.  Amos  told  me  that  Master  Lan-y  saw  the 
boat  putting  off,  but  would  not  leave  him  to  die. 
Just  as  he  had  stopped  the  bleeding,  a  Rebel  came 
very  near,  and  pointed  his  rifie  at  the  two.  Larry 
cried  out,  "  Don't  shoot  a  wounded  man."  "  I II 
shoot  you,"  bawled  out  the  KcIk'I,  witli  an  awful 
oath.  Quick  as  a  flash,  the  boy  drew  his  revolver, 
a  six-shooter.  Amos  heard  the  report  of  a  musket 
and  a  pistol,  and  then  he  supposes  that  he  fainted, 
for  he  heard  no  more.  Loss  of  blood  and  terror  li.id 
deprived  him  of  consciousness.  The  sailor  thinks 
he  was  left  for  dead  by  the  Rebels.  "  Ah ! "  said 
Amos  to  me,  "  I  should  n't  have  been  alive  to  tell 
the  story,  if  it  liail  n't  been  for  that  brave  lad, 
who  tied  the  two  silk  handkerchiefs  a.s  skilfully  as 
any  surgeon.     The  wound  wa^  just  in  the  flesh,  and 

5* 


106  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

the  only  clanger  was  from  the  bleeding.'  When 
Amos  came  to  himself,  he  was  lying  in-  the  same 
spot,  with  a  pool  of  blood  by  him.  He  was 
aroused  by  shells  that  came  boom,  boom,  over  him, 
from  our  ship.  He  expected  to  be  hit  by  them,  for 
they  fell  quite  near  him.  The  Rebels  were  scattered, 
and  their  battery  destroyed.  Amos  crept  near  the 
river,  and  sheltered  himself  under  a  shelving  bank. 
There  he  slept  till  early  the  next  morning,  when, 
being  a  capital  swimmer,  he  swam  down  to  our  ship, 
and  we  took  him  on  board.  What  became  of  the 
brave  boy  who  saved  his  life,  he  cannot  tell.  May 
God  have  him  in  his  holy  keeping,  says  your  brother. 
My  dear  Mercy,  my  heart  cHngs  to  that  lad  as  the 
heai't  of  Jonathan  did  to  David ;  and,  by  the  way,  I 
think  Lawrence  Lockwell  is  more  like  David  than 
any  one  else  I  ever  read  of.  He  is  as  brave  as  a 
lion,  and  was  the  Captain's  darling.  They  say  this 
fine  old  man  cried  like  a  child  when  he  heard  that 
Master  Larry  was  left  among  the  Rebels,  and  blamed 
the  officer  in  command  of  the  boat  for  not  bring- 
ing him  off. 

And  now,  my  dear  sister,  I  am  thankful  to  tell 
you  that  I  am  well  and  hearty  ;  as  much  devoted  to 
the  good  cause  as  ever,  and  not  a  bit  discouraged. 


GOING    ASnORE.  107 

Keep  up  good  heart  yourself;  all  will  come  right  at 
last.  I  think  our  Chaplain  has  put  my  poor  ideas 
into  the  right  words,  and  I  am  much  obliged  to  him. 
May  God  bless  you  and  keep  you  under  the 
shadow  of  his  wings,  is  the  constant  prayer  Oi 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

Tom  Brunt. 

The  Chaplain  added  the  following  postscript :  — 

"It  gives  the  Chaplain  great  pleasure  to  inform 
the  sister  of  Tom  Brunt  that  he  is  one  of  the  best 
sailors  in  the  world,  a  true  Christian,  and  a  gi-eat  aid 
to  the  Chaplain  in  liis  endeavors  to  do  good  to  the 
otlier  sailors  on  board  the  Cherokee." 

Unwilling  to  be  a  witness  of  the  giief  and  anxiety 
Tom's  letter  would  occasion,  Mercy  Brunt  put  it  in 
an  envelope,  and  sent  it  to  Mrs.  Lockwell  by  Milly. 

"When  Blanche  saw  the  old  black  woman  coming 
up  to  the  house,  she  fled  precipitately  to  her  own 
room,  and  locked  hereelf  within. 

Mi-s.  Lockwell  went  to  the  door  herself,  and  in  the 
kindest  way  possible  told  the  poor  woman  she  must 
excuse  Miss  Mowbray's  rudeness,  when  that  young 
lady  was  at  the  cottage,  for  she  had  never  seen 
colored  people  in  England. 


108  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  0  ma'am  !  I  thought  she  was  one  of  them  South- 
ern Rebels  they  tell  so  much  about,  and  was  used  to 
throwmg  things  at  nigger's  heads.  The  glass  was 
strong,  or  my  wool  was  thick,  for  the  glass  did  n't 
break,  and  I  like  cold  water ;  so  the  young  IMissy 
need  n't  be  troubled.  I  don't  think  she  can  be  a  lady, 
but  I  hopes,  ma'am,  she  '11  learn,  now  she  's  got  such 
a  sample  before  her  as  Mi-s.  Lockwell."  So  saying, 
Milly  made  one  of  her  bobbing  courtesies,  and  hob- 
bled off. 


A    SURPRISE.  109 


CHAPTER    XV 


A    S  U  K  r  U  I  S  E . 


A  PARK  doud  of  sadness  rested  upon  the  once 
cheerful  habitation  at  Chestnut  Hill.  How  was  it  to 
be  dispelled  ?  No  news  came  from  Larry ;  but  his 
chest,  containing  his  clotliing,  watch,  and  money,  was 
sent  home  by  Captain  Ringbolt. 

]Mrs.  Lockwell  set  herself  to  work  to  prepare  a  box 
of  warm  garments,  and  of  dehcacies  for  sick  soldiei*3 
in  the  hospitals  at  Washington.  She  found  some 
solace  in  this  occupation.  But  day  after  day  she 
worked  alone,  for  Blanche  took  long  walks,  and  tlien 
shut  herself  within  her  own  room.  Knowing  her 
prejudices,  Mrs.  Lockwell  did  not  ask  her  assistance 
in  the  benevolent  work. 

Mr.  JMiddlefield  wrote  to  Captain  Ringbolt,  in- 
quu-ing  about  Larry.  No  answer  came,  for  the 
Captiim  had  been  ordered  to  the  Gulf  of  INIexico. 
The  sorrowful  grandfatlier's  in(piiries  in  other  direc- 
tions were  entirely  unsatisfactory. 


110  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

When  Mrs.  Lockwell  was  packing  her  box  to  send 
off  by  express,  Blanche  opened  the  door  of  the  room 
where  Mrs.  Lockwell  was  busy,  and  thi-ew  in  two 
red-flannel  shirts,  and  a  pair  of  gray  yam  stockings. 
Blanche  closed  the  door  hastily,  and  went  to  her  own 
room.  ^ 

IVIi'S.  Lockwell  was  puzzled.  Wlio  could  have 
sent  tliis  contribution  to  her  box?  She  at  length 
conjectured  that  it  must  have  come  from  Mercy 
Brunt. 

Mercy  Brunt  was  just  then  shown  in,  with  a  large 
parcel  in  her  hands,  containing  a  dozen  pair  of  carpet 
slippers. 

Mrs.  Lockwell  thanked  her  for  them,  and  for  the 
other  articles. 

"  Your  thanks  must  be  given  to  Miss  Blanche 
Mowbray  for  the  shirts  and  stockings.  She  learned 
to  knit  for  the  purpose.  She  gave  me  the  money, 
and  I  bought  the  materials  for  her  and  cut  out  the 
shirts,  but  she  made  every  stitch  of  them  her- 
self, and  she  supplied  me  with  the  carpet  for  the 
slippers." 

"  How  did  she  overcome  her  fear  of  Milly  ?  "  ex- 
claimed Mrs.  LockweU. 

"  It  required  resolution ;  but  the  object  in  view  was 


A    SURPRISE.  Ill 

such  that  she  overcame  her  repugnance,  and  now  she 
quite  fancies  Milly." 

"  This  is  astonishing !  It  accounts  for  her  long 
walks,  and  her  seclusion.  How  pleased  my  father 
will  he,  and  my  poor  Larry,  too,  if  he  only  knew  it ! 
Alas  !  he  may  he  needmg  warm  clothing  at  this  very 
moment." 

"  God  tempers  the  blast  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  re- 
plied Mercy,  devoutly;  then,  after  a  few  moments' 
pause,  she  continued,  "  I  have  n't  told  you  that  Miss 
Blanche  parted  with  a  ring,  which  I  disposed  of  at 
the  jeweller's,  to  obtain  the  money  for  her  {purchases. 
She  did  not  wish  to  keep  the  ring,  because  it  was 
given  her  by  a  relation  from  whom  she  had  mainly 
imbibed  her  prejudices  against  this  country." 

"  This  is  indeed  a  triumph.  I  shall  leave  it  for 
Blanche  to  speak  of  the  change  in  her  opinions  and 
feelings ;  she  has  showT»  tlie  change  by  deeds,  and  I 
will  not  wound  her  pride  by  compelling  any  other 
acknowledgment." 

"  That  is  wise  and  kind,"  said  Mercy ;  "  but  I 
must  say  good  by  to  you,  Mrs.  Lockwcll,  for  I  am 
going  to  Washington." 

«  To  Washington  !  " 

"I  am  going  to  be  a  nurse  in  a  hospital  there. 


112  I   WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

Mr.  MidcUefield  lias  given  me  letters  which  will  be 
sure  to  gain  me  admittance.  Milly  will  take  care  of 
my  little  place  till  I  return." 

"  God  bless  you  and  keep  you  from  sickness,  and 
from  all  harm."  So  saying,  Mrs.  Lockwell  shook 
hands  cordially  with  Mercy ;  then  she  added,  "  You 
shall  take  charge  of  the  box,  and  have  the  pleasure 
of  distributing  the  articles  to  the  poor  fellows  your- 
self." 

As  Mercy  passed  out  of  the  house,  suddenly  some 
one  threw  a  pair  of  plump  arms  about  her  neck,  and 
a  voice  whispered,  "  Take  this  from  Blanche,"  and  an 
English  Book  of  Common  Prayer  was  thrust  into 
Mercy's  hand. 

The  impetuous,  warm-hearted,  but  haughty  Blanche 
had  been  completely  won  by  the  humble,  intelligent, 
excellent  Mercy  Brunt.  No  despising  of  Yan- 
kees after  this  !  No  more  odious  comjiarisons  be- 
tween England  and  America  from  Blanche  Mowbray, 
though  she  could  not  help  making  comparisons  con- 
tinually. 


WASHINGTON.  113 


ClIATTER    XVI. 


WASHINGTON. 


It  was  now  the  last  of  November ;  the  weather 
was  cold  and  disagreeable,  when  Mercy  arrived  in 
Wasliington.  She  went  to  a-'quiet  hotel,  to  which 
Mr.  IVIiddleficld  had  directed  her.  There  she  had 
the  box  left  till  she  should  know  what  use  to  make 
of  its  contents.  With  the  calm  energy  that  charac- 
terized her,  she  went  straight  forward  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  her  benevolent  purpose. 

As  she  was  on  her  way  through  Pennsylvania 
Avenue,  to  deliver  her  credentials  to  the  projier  per- 
sons for  gaining  admission  to  a  hospital,  suddenly 
she  heard  her  name  uttered,  in  a  feeble  but  expres- 
sive tone. 

"  Mercy  Brunt !  " 

A  girl,  very  meanly  dressed,  with  an  old  sun-bon- 
net over  her  face,  and  a  thin  shawl  wrajijied  about 
her,  stood  before  her. 


114  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  How  do  you  happen  to  know  me  ? "  asked 
]Mercy. 

"  How  could  I  help  knowing  you,  Mercy  ?  It  is 
not  strange  that  you  do  not  know  me  in  this  dis- 
guise." 

"  Lawrence  Lockwell !     Is  it  possible  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Mercy ;  and  I  am  sick  and  weary." 

"  Come  with  me,  and  explain  after  you  are  in  my 
lodgings.     Here,  take  my  arm." 

Larry  did  so,  and  limped  along  on  his  bare  feet,  — 
bare  feet,  and  bleeding  too,  this  wintry  day. 

They  were  soon  at  the  hotel,  and  Mercy  im- 
mediately made  known  to  the  hotel-keeper  who  the 
stranger  was,  and  asked  for  a  room  for  him  adjoining 
her  own. 

Larry  was  soon  in  a  comfortable  bed,  wearing  one 
of  those  red  flannel  shirts. 

Mercy  had  taken  the  precaution  to  bring  a  night- 
lamp  with  her,  and  before  her  patient  slept,  she  had 
made  a  nice  gruel  for  him. 

All  tlrrough  the  long  night,  Mercy  watched  by  his 
bedside,  and  when  morning  came,  still  he  was  soundly 
asleep. 

She  bathed  his  poor  bleeding  feet,  and  he  did  not 
awake.      She   was   profuse    in  her    application   of 


WASHINGTON.  115 

cologne-water  to  his  thin,  pale  face,  and  his  hands, 
that  looked  like  bird's  claws.  Even  a  brush  applied 
to  liis  hair  did  not  awalcen  him,  so  deathly  was  the 
sleep  into  which  ho  had  fallen.  IMercy  was  alarmed, 
and  sent  for  a  physician.  lie  felt  Larry's  pulse, 
and  watched  his  breathing. 

"  Exhaustion,"  said  he  ;  "  entire  exhaustion,  from 
cold  and  fatigue,  but  in  no  danger.  Waken  him  in 
about  an  hour,  and  give  him  more  of  the  warm  gruel ; 
then  let  him  sleep  again  as  long  as  he  will." 

At  the  time  ordered,  Mercy  awakened  Larry.  He 
did  not  appear  to  know  where  he  was,  or  who  was 
with  him,  but  swallowed  the  gruel  with  avidity,  and 
tlien  fell  back  into  a  quiet  sleep,  from  which  he  did 
not  awaken  till  noon,  l^King  slej)!  twenty-four  houre 
with  only  the  one  interruption. 

The  physician  came  in  soon  after,  and  said  careful 
nursing  was  all  the  boy  needed.  Tliis  he  was  sure 
to  have  from  Mercy  Brunt. 

Li  the  quietness  of  his  room,  for  Mercy  asked 
Larry  no  questions,  sh©  wrote  to  Mrs.  Lockwell, 
simply  to  inform  her  that  her  sailor-boy  was  safe  in 
"Wasliington,  and  would  probably  be  at  Chestnut 
Hill  before  long.  She  added,  he  might,  however,  bo 
detained  a  week  or  more.     He  was  lodging  at  tUo 


116  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

same  hotel  to  which  Mr.  Middlefield  had  recom- 
mended her.  Mercy  added,  that  she  had  not  yet 
gone  to  the  hospital,  but  some  of  the  contents  of  the 
box  were  already  in  use.  She  suggested  that  if 
Larry  had  any  garments  at  home,  it  would  be  well 
to  send  them  on  to  Washington,  for  his  clothing  was 
nearly  worn  out.  "  He  had,"  she  said,  "  lately  ar- 
rived at  the  capital,  an,d  was  too  much  fatigued  to 
write  himself."  She  very  carefully  worded  her  let- 
ter, not  to  give  alarm,  yet,  when  it  reached  Mrs. 
LockweU,  how  could  she,  that  tender  mother,  fail  to 
be  alarmed  and  agitated,  even  with  all  Mercy's 
caution  ? 

Hunger,  fatigue,  and  cold  had  assailed  Larry,  and 
brought  him  to  the  very  portals  of  the  grave. 

"  What  is  that  you  are  reading  so  attentively  ?  " 
asked  Larry,  as  he  saw  Mercy  with  a  small  book 
in  her  hand.  It  was  the  first  question  he  had  asked 
of  Mercy,  though  he  had  then  been  two  days  at  the 
hotel. 

"It  is  a  Prayer-Book  Miss  Blanche  Mowbray 
gave  me." 

This  aroused  the  almost  dormant  memory  of  Larry, 
and  he  inquired  after  all  at  Chestnut  Hill,  while  a 
faint  color  spread  over  his  pale  face. 


WASHINGTOX.  1 17 

Mercy  gently  answered  the  inquiry,  assuring  him 
that  they  were  all  well.  And  then  she  asked  if  she 
should  read  out  to  him  what  was  then  before  her 
eyes.     He  assented,  and  she  read  as  follows  :  — 

"  O  God,  who  art  the  Giver  of  life,  of  health,  and  of 
safety,  we  bless  thy  name  that  thou  hast  been  pleased 
to  deliver  from  his  bodily  sickness  this  thy  servant, 
who  now  desireth  to  return  thanks  unto  thee.  Gra- 
cious ai-t  thou,  0  Lord,  and  full  of  compassion  to  the 
children  of  men.  May  his  heart  be  duly  impressed 
with  a  sense  of  thy  merciful  goodness,  and  may  he 
devote  the  residue  of  his  days  to  an  humble,  holy, 
and  obedient  walking  before  thee,  tkrough  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen." 

Larry  fervently  joined  in  the  "  Amen." 

He  lay  quiet  awhile,  and  then  said,  "  Did  Blanche 
give  you  that  book  ? " 

"  She  did,  and  it  has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me. 
I  never  saw  a  prayer-book  before.  The  English 
ought  to  be  a  good  people,  a  very  good  people,  with 
such  prayers  and  lessons  from  the  Bible  as  they  hear 
every  Sunday  at  church." 

"And  Blanche  gave  it  to  you,  —  how  strange  !  I 
think,  iMercy,  I  am  ahnost  strong  enough  to  go 
home." 


118  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 


"  I  thinli  you  will  be  in  a  few  days  longer.  You 
must  not  agitate  yourself.  By  to-morrow  we  shall 
hear  from  your  friends." 

Letters  came,  —  warm,  loving  letters,  —  enclosing 
money.  Mr.  Middlefield  would  have  come  on  to 
Washington,  and  Mrs.  Lockwell  with  him,  but  both 
were  suffering  with  colds. 

A  letter  to  Mercy  was  overflowdng  with  grateful 
thanks  for  her  nursing,  care,  and  kindness,  which 
were  well  understood,  though  no  mention  had  been 
made  of  them  by  herself. 

The  next  day,  the  trunk  of  clotliing  arrived,  and 
Larry  was  able  to  be  dressed.  He  still  wore  the 
red  flannels,  saying  he  chose  to  look  for  once  like  a 
soldier.  The  carpet  slippers  were  just  the  thing 
for  him,  and  those  yarn  stockings,  —  never  were 
stockings  so  soft  and  comfortable  ! 

Two  days  after  the  receipt  of  the  letter,  Mr.  Mid- 
dlefield knocked  at  the  door  of  Larry's  room.  The 
grandfather  could  not  restrain  his  impatience,  and,  in 
spite  of  his  cold,  had  come  on  to  Wasliington. 

Larry  had  so  far  recovered  that  he  was  about  to 
take  a  drive.  He  was  standing  before  a  mirror  try- 
ing on  a  cap  that  Mercy  had  bought  for  him.  The 
door  was  opened  so  gently  that  he  did  not  per- 
ceive it. 


WASHINGTON.  119 

"  I  should  n't  know  myself,"  said  Larry. 

"  But  I  know  you,  my  dear  boy ! "  exclaimed  the 
grandfather,  holding  Larry  tight  to  his  throbbing 
heart. 

Mercy  came,  with  her  bonnet  and  wrappings  on, 
to  say  the  carriage  was  ready,  and  received  the  most 
cordial  greeting  from  Mr.  Middlefield. 

"  Come,  Larry,  I  '11  carry  you  down-stairs,  and  take 
a  drive  with  you,"  said  Air.  Middlefield. 

"  I  can  walk  down  myself;  I  grow  stronger  every 
minute  ;  I  think  I  can  go  home  to-morrow." 

"  "We  wSl  see  about  that,"  So  saying,  the  grand- 
father on  one  side,  and  Mercy  on  tlie  other,  led  the 
boy  down-stairs  and  helped  him  into  the  can-iage. 
The  keen  air  was  refreshing,  and  Larry,  quite  re- 
vived by  it,  began  to  tell  the  story  of  his  being  taken 
prisoner ;  but  Mercy  stopped  him  at  once,  saying, 
"  Dismiss  all  painful  reminiscences,  and  enjoy  the 
present." 

"  How  can  I,  when  I  see  these  streets  filled  with 
soldiers  ?     0  what  a  dreadful  thing  war  is  !  " 

"  I  must  second  Mercy's  motion,"  said  the  grand- 
father ;  "  you  must  wait  till  you  have  other  auditors 
to  listeh  to  your  story." 

As  they  were  alighting  from  the  carriage,  after  a 


120  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

short  drive,  who  should  they  meet  but  Captain  Ring- 
bolt. 

"  Is  it  possible  !  Larry,  my  dear  boy,  I  thought 
you  were  in  heaven,"  said  the  Captain,  gi-asping 
Larry's  hand  so  violently  that  the  boy,  if  he  had  not 
been  a  real  Spartan,  would  have  shrieked.  Then, 
seeing  Sir.  Middlefield,  he  gave  him  one  of  those 
hearty  gi'ips,  expi-essive  of  his  pleasure  at  this  unex- 
pected meeting.  The  Captain  entered  the  hotel  with 
them,  and,  while  Larry  went  to  liis  room,  Captain 
Ringbolt  waited  below  for  an  interview  with  Mr. 
Middlefield. 

The  Captain  had  been  appointed  to  the  command 
of  another  ship,  and  had  come  on  to  Washington  for 
further  orders  from  the  Seci'etary  of  the  Navy.  He 
begged  to  have  Larry  with  liim.  But  Mr.  Middle- 
field  was  obdurate  in  his  refusal. 

When  Mr.  Middlefield  returned  to  Larry's  room, 
he  was  surprised  at  Larry's  question. 

"  Did  Captain  Ringbolt  say  he  would  take  me  to 
sea  again  as  his  clerk  ?  " 

''  Had  you  not  better  wait  till  you 'are  well  before 
you  think  of  venturing  ag:un  on  board  ship  ?  " 

"  I  am  well  enough  now  to  think  about  it,"  replied 
Larry. 


WASHINGTON.  121 

The  grandfather  was  astounded.  After  suffering 
80  much,  was  he  ready  so  soon  to  risk  life  again? 
was  the  boy  really  m  his  right  mind  ? 

"  Grandpa,  when  you  had  a  bad  case  in  court,  did 
you  give  it  up  because  it  was  a  bad  one  ?  Wlien 
you  had  a  good  case,  and  powerful  lawyers  opposed 
to  you,  did  you  give  it  up  ?     Say,  now,  grandpa." 

Grandpa  did  not  say,  but  he  bade  the  boy  be  quiet, 
and  wait  till  he  got  home,  before  he  broached  the 
subject  again. 

''  Good  by,  Mercy,"  said  Larry,  two  days  after  this 
conversation  had  passed.  "  Good  by ;  I  shall  never 
forget  your  kindness." 

"  And  never  forget  the  duty  you  owe  to  God  and 
your  country,"  said  Mercy ;  "  but  show  pity  to  the 
wounded  and  dying  Rebels.  I  know  you  will,  Larry, 
even  though  they  be  Rebels.  They  are  still  our 
brethren,  as  was  the  prodigal  son  who  seceded  from 
his  father's  house.  He  was  brother  to  the  one  who 
stayed  with  his  father.  Let  us  hope  for  the  return 
of  this  prodigal,  and  be  ready  to  receive  him  when- 
ever he  shall  say  he  has  sinned  and  done  evil.  CJod 
keep  you,  Larry ;  farewell." 

Mercy  went  to  one  of  the  Washington  hospitals  to 
nurse  wounded  soldiers,  as  tenderly  as  she  had  nursed 
6 


122  I   WILL   BE   A   SAILOK. 

the  sailor-boy,  and  many  a  dying  eye  was  turned 
towards  her  for  devout  prayers  and  words  of  holy 
consolation. 

The  travellers  sped  rapidly  homeward.  It  was 
evening  when  they  reached  Chestnut  Hill.  The 
ground  was  covered  with  snow ;  but  a  warm  light 
glowed  through  the  windows  of  the  house,  and  warm 
hearts  were  ready  to  give  an  intensely  cordial  wel- 
come to  the  returning  invalid. 

How  Larry  wondered  at  the  tears  that  would  come 
to  his  eyes  !  Boys  always  think  it  unmanly  to  weep. 
Larry  brushed  away  his  tears  disdainfully,  though 
they  were  tears  of  joy,  —  delicious  tears. 


"DIXIE."  123 


CHAPTER   XVII, 


Two  days  subsequent  to  Larry's  return,  he  re- 
clined on  a  sofa,  supported  by  cushions,  though  he 
called  himself  perfectly  well  in  body  and  mind.  He 
was  thus  carefully  arranged  to  tell  his  adventures  in 
Dixie,  not  a  word  of  which  he  had  hitherto  been  able 
to  relate. 

Mrs.  LockweU  and  Blanche  were  knitting  soldiers' 
gray  yarn  stockings,  and  Mr.  Middlefield  sat  before 
the  glowing  grate,  in  liis  large  arm-chair.  Three 
more  interested  listeners  could  not  have  been  gath- 
ered for  the  occasion. 

"  I  shall  be  compelled  to  be  very  egotistical,"  said 
Larry. 

"  Certainly ;  ego  fomis  the  subject  of  your  story," 
said  Mr.  Middlefield,  "  Go  on  without  further  pref- 
ace or  apology." 

Thus  encouraged,  Larry  continued  :  — 

"  You  have  heard  how  I   stayed   by  the  sailor, 


124  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

Amos  Melius.  He  was  bleeding  to  death,  and  I 
would  not  leave  him.  I  thought  the  worst  would 
be  that  I  should  be  taken  prisoner,  and  not  be  very 
harshly  treated.  I  had  scarcely  bound  up  the  poor 
sailor's  wound  when  a  Rebel  soldier  came  running 
towards  me,  and,  when  only  a  few  yards  from  me, 
pointed  his  rifle  directly  at  the  head  of  the  wounded 
sailor.  '  Coward ! '  cried  I,  '  would  you  shoot  a  dy- 
ing man  ? '  '  I  '11  shoot  you,'  yelled  the  Rebel,  with 
an  awful  oath,  and  pointed  his  rifle  at  me.  I  drew 
my  revolver,  and  fi.red  at  the  same  instant  that 
he  did.  He  fell,  never  to  rise  again.  Plis  bullet 
whizzed  through  my  cap." 

Mrs.  Lockwell  drew  a  long  breath,  and  whispered, 
"  Thank  God ! "  then  said  aloud,  "  But  it  was  a 
di-eadful  alternative." 

"  Indeed,  mother,  it  was.  I  felt  horribly  shocked 
when  I  saw  what  I  had  done ;  but  it  was  either  to 
shoot  or  be  shot." 

"  Self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of  nature  ;  it 
was  well  you  had  the  revolver,  and  well  that  you 
had  presence  of  mind  enough  to  use  it.  Besides," 
added  Mr.  Middlefield,  "  you  had  to  protect  the  man 
for  whom  you  had  risked  your  own  life.  Providen- 
tially, you  were  thus  the  means  of  saving  two  lives, 
though  one  was  necessarily  sacrificed." 


Cowiirfl !  ■'  iTii'iI  T,  ■■  woiiM  vou  sliixit  ,'i  flyitii,'  HKin  .■'  "     I'm^jp  1','4. 


"DIXIE."  125 

"  And  yet,  as  my  mother  remarked,  it  was  a  dread- 
ful alternative.  At  that  very  moment,  as  I  drew  the 
revolver,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  I  thought  of  my 
mother." 

There  was  a  pause  for  an  instant,  and  then  Larry 
went  on. 

"  A  lieutenant  of  the  Rebel  army  immediately  came 
to  me,  and  cursed  me,  oath  after  oath,  for  kilUng  the 
soldier,  and  led  me  off  as  his  prisoner. 

" '  Ai'e  you  not  going  to  take  care  of  the  wounded 
sailor  there  ? '  said  I,  pointing  to  Molius, 

"  lie  stepped   back,   gave  the   body  a  kick,  and 

said,  '  lie  is  taken  care  of  as  I  wish  every  

Yankee  in  the  world  was,  —  the  best  care  for 
them.' 

"  I  supposed  of  course  that  the  sjiilor  was  dead, 

"  The  lieutenant  placed  me  under  the  charge  of  a 
soldier,  who  took  from  me  my  revolver,  the  little 
money  I  had  about  me,  and  neai-ly  all  my  clothitig. 
Fortunately,  I  had  left  my  watch  and  my  purse  in 
my  chest. 

"  It  was  a  whole  day  before  I  had  a  morsel  to  eaf , 
for  the  firing  from  the  Cherokee  sent  the  shells  into 
then-  masked  battery,  and  right  among  the  soldiers. 
The  Rebels  skedaddled,  and  hurried  off  with  me,  — 
poor  little  me,  their  only  prisoner. 


126  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  We  marclied  about  ten  miles  that  day,  to  an  en- 
campment where  there  were  a  number  of  other  pris- 
oners ready  to  start  for  Richmond.  I  was  sent  on 
with  them,  and  when  we  reached  the  place  of  our 
imprisonment,  I  was  half  dead  with  fatigue  and  hun- 
ger. Our  prison  was  a  tobacco-warehouse,  not  far 
from  Richmond.  O  how  odious,  how  disgusting,  the 
smell  of  that  house  was  !  You  cannot  imagine  any- 
thing so  filthy,  so  horribly  offensive.  I  will  not  pain 
you  by  giving  particulars.  It  was  a  second  Black 
Hole.  We  had  hardly  room  to  lie  down  or  to  stand 
up. 

"  The  hog  and  hominy  with  which  they  fed  us  were 
not  much  diminished  by  my  eating.  I  loathed  the 
food,  though  as  hungry  as  a  starved  wolf 

"  I  formed  many  plans  for  escaping,  but  in  vain, 
till  I  became  acquainted  with  a  soldier  of  the  guard, 
who  constantly  watched  us.  He  seemed  to  take  pity 
on  me,  and  sometimes  whispered  to  me  at  a  small 
opening,  —  a  window  without  glass  or  shutter,  to  let 
in  light  and  air,  —  a  precious  little  of  either,  by  the 
way,  did  we  get. 

"  One  day,  this  Rebel  soldier  handed  me  a  small 
roll  of  paper,  that  looked  like  a  piece  of  pipe-stem. 
On  carefully  um'olling  it,  I  found  it  was  addressed 


"DIXIE."  127 

to  *  General  Tom  Thumb,'  and  contained  this  sin- 
gular liint,  evidently  meant  for  me :  — 

"  '  Do  you  suppose,  General,  your  miglity  little- 
ness could  creep  through  a  hole  not  less  than  six 
inches  square  ?  If  he  should  attempt  it,  would  it 
be  on  a  dark  night  ?  Is  the  General  too  big  a  baby 
to  creep  ?  Could  he  creep  a  mile  on  all  fours  ?  If 
he  could  n't,  he  deserves  to  be  kept  in  a  Dixie  cradle, 
and  fed  on  pap.' 

"  I  pondered  over  this  strange  note,  and  consulted 
a  Massachusetts  soldier,  who  was  my  greatest  friend. 
We  made  out  at  last  that  the  hint  was  to  creep 
through  that  small  window,  which,  by  the  way, 
was  within  just  as  high  as  my  head,  and  without 
nearly  six  feet  from  the  ground.  About  the  creep- 
ing we  had  some  doubt,  but  at  last  concluded  that 
I  must  creep  away  after  I  found  myself  on  the 
ground.  There  was  nothing  more  to  guide  me  ;  but 
I  had  n't  a  doubt  that  the  friendly  soldier  I  have 
mentioned  would  be  on  guard  that  night,  and  that 
the  liint  came  from  liim. 

"  I  might  be  shot  in  making  the  attempt  to  escape ; 
at  any  rate,  I  would  try,  for  I  could  not  live  much 
longer  in  that  abominable  prison.  The  poor  fellows 
were  dying  daily  by  dozens,  and  all  looked  like  the 


128  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

most  miserable  wretches  that  you  can  conceive  of. 
I  knew  I  was  so  thin  that  I  could  crawl  through  that 
square  opening.  My  Massachusetts  friend  promised 
to  help  me,  and  kept  awake  till  midnight  for  the  pur- 
pose. He  lifted  me  up,  and  put  me  through,  feet 
foremost,  —  a  queer  missile  to  be  shot  at  Rebels  ! 
I  came  safely  to  the  ground,  and  fell  upon  '  all 
fours.'  The  'guard  was  near,  stiff  and  motionless 
as  a  cedar  post.  I  crept  along  on  the  ground  as 
nimbly  as  I  could,  not  knowing  what  direction  to 
take.  Suddenly  I  came  upon  a  sentinel  leaning 
against  a  tree.  'Now,  I  am  done  for,'  thought  I. 
The  soldier  must  have  taken  me  in  the  darkness 
for  some  wild  animal,  for  he  cried,  '  Who  goes 
there  ? '  and  then  laughed  out,  thinking  he  had 
challenged  something  not  human.  I  scrabbled  off, 
the  dead  leaves  rustling  as  I  fled,  for  I. was  now 
among  trees  and  bushes.  Over  stones  and  briers 
I  crept,  till  I  found  myself  in  a  thick  wood.  So 
tired  was  I,  that  I  fell  asleep,  like  Jacob  of  old, 
with  a  stone  for  a  pillow;  but  no  angels  came  to 
comfort  me,  but  a  horrible  di'eam  of  being  hanged 
on  a  gallows,  such  as  I  have  seen  in  old  pictures. 
The  rope  was  around  my  neck,  and  the  platform 
was   about    to    di'op,  when    I   received    a    sudden 


«  DIXIE."  129 

punch  in  the  side,  and  awoke  in  an  a;;ony  of  ter- 
ror. It  was  broad  daylight,  and  a  little  girl,  I 
should  say  about  nine  years  old,  had  thus  uncere- 
moniously disturbed  me,  or  rather  relieved  me 
from  my  hideous  dream.  JNIy  appearance  was  any- 
tliing  but  interesting.  My  pantaloons  were  torn  at 
the  knees,  and  so  was  the  skin  they  had  once  cov- 
ered, by  the  stones  and  bi'iers  I  had  crept  over. 
My  h:iir  was  long  and  tangled,  my  face  and  hands 
were  of  a  rusty  b^o^vn  ;  altogethei*,  I  must  have 
been  frightful  to  behold. 

"The  little  girl  looked  at  me  wonderingly,  wjiile  I 
was  trying  to  collect  my  thoughts  and  realize  where 
I  was. 

" '  What  are  you  doing  here  ? '  asked  the  little  girl, 
stooping  over  me,  and  staring  into  my  face. 

" '  Sleeping  I  was  ;  I  'm  wide  awake  now.' 

"'  What 's  your  name,  and  where  are  you  going?  ' 
said  she. 

"  '  You  must  be  a  Yankee,  I  think,  for  Yankees  ask 
questions,'  said  I,  raising  myself  on  my  feet  slowly, 
for  every  limb  was  as  stiff  as  a  jib-boom.  '  You 
must  be  a  Yankee,  and  so  am  I,  and  I  must  ask  you 
some  questions.' 

"  The  child  looked  frightened,  and  put  her  forc-fm- 
6*  I 


130  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

ger  on  lier  lips,  as  a  hint  that  I  had  better  not  men- 
tion that  fact. 

" '  Where  do  you  live,  and  why  do  you  come  here  ? ' 
said  I. 

" '  I  live  in  that  brown  house  yonder,  and  I 
am  here  looking  for  our  cow.  She  ran  away  last 
night.' 

" '  Are  you  a  Yankee  soldier  ?  '  whispered  the  girl, 
looking  all  around,  as  if  afraid  she  should  be  heard. 

" '  No  ;  I  am  not  a  soldier  ;  I  am  a  sailor-boy,  and 
am  tired  and  hungry  and  thirsty.  Shall  I  help  you 
look  for  your  cow  ?  ' 

" '  0,  there  she  is ! '  cried  the  child,  joyfully. 
'  Come  home  with  me,  sailor-boy ;  I  never  saw  a 
sailor  before.' 

" '  I  don't  think  you  would  ever  care  to  see  another,' 
said  I,  as  I  hurried  after  her  towards  the  brown 
house. 

"  A  yoimg  woman,  with  a  good,  honest  face,  stood 
in  the  doorway,  gazing  at  me  as  we  di*ew  near. 

" '  Mammy,'  said  the  child,  '  I  've  found  our  cow 
and  a  sailor-boy  ;  did  you  ever  see  one  before  ? ' 

"  I  smiled,  but  the  woman  looked  gravely  at  me, 
and  asked  me  where  I  came  from.  I  thought  it  best 
to  tell  the  truth,  and  said  I  had  escaped  from  prison, 


"DIXIE."  131 

at  which  she  seemed  much  alarmed,  and  begged  me 
to  come  in  at  once. 

"  I  sat  down  by  the  kitchen  fire.  The  woman  went 
out,  closed  and  locked  the  door  after  her,  leaving  the 
girl,  I  thought,  to  watch  me  while  she  was  absent. 
I  supposed  she  had  gone  to  make  my  escape  known 
to  the  soldiers,  and  gave  myself  up  to  despair.  .The 
little  girl  sat  by  the  fireside,  stirring  some  boiling 
mush,  every  now  and  then  wiping  her  tearful  eyes 
with  a  corner  of  licr  apron. 

"  After  about  half  an  hour  of  fearful  anxiety,  I  was 
relieved  by  the  return  of  the  woman.  Instead  of  the 
soldiei-s  I  dreaded  to  see,  she  had  a  pail  of  warni 
milk  in  her  hand.  Soon  she  poured  out  a  bowlful, 
and,  adding  some  mush,  handed  it  to  me.  Never  was 
anything  more  delicious  to  a  poor  starved  creature 
than  that  mush  and  milk  was  to  me.  After  I  had 
taken  a  few  spoonfuls,  she  said,  '  The  soldiers  often 
come  here,  but  I  can  hide  you  from  them  till  they 
have  done  looking  for  you.  I  think  they  are  on  the 
search  now.'  I  was  enjoying  the  mush  and  milk  too 
eagerly  to  mind  what  she  was  saying.  Alter  I  bad 
finished  my  charming  breakfast,  she  said,  '  You  may 
go  into  that  small  room  and  wash  yourself,  then  I 
will  come  and  cut  your  hair.'     She  showed  me  into 


132  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

the  room,  a  kind  of  wash-room,  and  there  was  a  tub 
of  soap-suds.  What  a  luxury !  not  the  most  splendid 
bath-room  ever  gave  a  king  such  delight  as  I  enjoyed 
in  that  wash-tub.  I  ought  to  mention  that  she  told 
me  I  must  put  on  the  clothes  she  had  provided  for 
me.  I  looked  for  them,  and  there  were  none,  except- 
ing a  full  suit  of  woman's  clothes.  While  I  was 
hesitating  what  to  do,  I  heard  a  little  voice  outside 
the  door,  '  Mammy  says  you  must  put  on  the  things 
she  put  there,  her  own  clothes  ;  then  the  soldiers,  if 
they  should  come,  won't  know  you.'  Much  against 
my  wiU,  I  put  on  the  calico  gown  and  its  accompany- 
ing toggery.  Soon  after  I  was  thus  rigged  out,  tlie 
woman,  —  her  name,  by  the  vvay,  was  Keener,  — 
she  came  in  with  a  big  pair  of  shears  in  her  hand, 
and,  putting  a  sheet  round  me,  she  clipped  off  my 
hair  close  to  my  head,  and  put  on  me  the  funniest 
old  cap,  with  a  wide  border,  just  like  those  you  have 
seen  some  of  our  Irish  neighbors  wear. 

" '  You  are  a  Pennsylvanian  and  a  Union  woman,' 
said  I,  while  she  was  performing  the  barherous  opera- 
tion. '  Don't  say  that ! '  she  said,  with  a  st^irtled, 
terrified  expression.  '  My  husband  has  had  to  leave 
his  little  farm  and  go  a-soldiering  down  to  New  Or- 
leans.    They  somehow  doubted  whether  he  was  true 


"DIXIK."  133 

to  President  Jefferson  Davis,  and  sent  hira  down 
South  with  some  others  that  they  thought  were  not 
quite  right.  I  have  nobody  with  me  but  little  An- 
nie, but  the  soldiers  about  here  don't  molest  us. 
They  sometimes  come  for  a  drink  of  milk,  and  I 
believe  keep  a  watch  over  me,  as  if  they  thought  I 
had  Yankee  blood  in  me.' 

"  Wlien  I  went  into  the  kitchen,  I  walked  up  to  a 
small  looking-glass,  and  almost  killed  myself  with 
laughing.  I  was  very  weak,  and  really  could  not 
stop  laughing.  I  never  saw  anything  so  ridiculous. 
I  seemed  so  tall,  too.  Mrs.  Keener's  gown  was  just 
the  right  length,  but  fitted  me  as  it  might  fit  a  rifle,  I 
was  so  slim. 

"  Annie  laughed,  too,  and  even  the  good  woman, 
anxious  and  troubled  as  she  was,  could  not  keep  her 
countenance. 

" '  I  am  sure  the  soldiers  will  hunt  for  you  here,' 
said  she,  *  and  you  are  so  completely  disguised  they 
Avill  never  know  you.  But  you  must  learn  to 
knit.' 

" '  Knit !  I  know  how  already  ;  my  mother  taught 
me  when  I  was  a  little  boy,  to  keep  me  out  of  mis- 
chief.' 

"  Nothing  is  ever  learnt  in  vain.     She  gave  me  a 


134  I   -VriLL    BE    A    SAILOK. 

coarse  cotton  stocking,  and  placed  me  in  a  rocking- 
cbair  by  the  fireside.  I  was  too  weary  to  knit,  and 
soon  fell  asleep.  I  was  aroused  from  a  clianning 
nap  by  IMrs.  Keener,  who  whispered  in  my  ear, 
'  The  soldiers.' 

"  '  What  of  them  ?  '  I  inquired,  starting  up. 

" '  Keep  your  seat,'  she  said ;  '  shut  up  your  eyes ; 
can  you  knit  without  seeing  ?  ' 

" '  I  could  once,'  said  I ;  '  and  I  can  try.' 

"  '  On  no  account  open  your  eyes.' 

"  By  this  time,  the  soldiers,  three  of  them,  were  at 
the  door,  and  loudly  knocking. 

"  'Mis.  Keener  opened  it,  and  they  came  in.  I 
heard  their  rifles  as  they  slammed  them  but-end 
down  on  the  floor.  One  of  them  said,  '  We  're 
hunting  a  runaway.' 

" '  What,  a  slave  ? '  said  Mrs.  Keener. 

"  '  No,  a  prisoner,  —  a  Yankee  prisoner,  who  some- 
how got  off  last  night.  He  's  a  sharp  'un,  a  sailor- 
boy,  who  shot  one  of  our  men.' 

"  '  Will  you  have  a  drink  of  milk  this  morning  ? ' 
asked  Mrs.  Keener. 

" '  Yes,  and  some  whiskey  m  it,  woman,'  replied 
the  other. 

"  *  What  queer  body  have  you  here  ? '  said  the 
first  speaker. 


«  DIXIE."  135 

"  *  A  poor  friend  of  mine,'  steadily  replied  she. 

" '  Blind  and  dumb,  too ! '  said  the  third,  laying  his 
hand  on  my  shoulder. 

"  I  thought  I  recognized  the  voice  of  the  guard, 
and  was  sure  of  it,  as  he  gave  me  a  grip  and  said 
again,  very  expressively,  *  Blind  and  dumb  !  that 's 
worse  than  being  small  as  Tom  Thumb.' 

"  Then  I  knew  this  was  my  friendly  guard,  and 
was  more  assured. 

" '  How  can  she  knit,  if  she  's  blind  ? '  said  the 
other  soldier.  *  Let  me  look  at  your  stocking,'  and 
he  pulled  it  out  of  my  hand.  *  Pretty  well  done  ; 
let  me  see  you  knit.' 

"  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  guard  who  stood 
near  me,  I  should  not  have  been  able  to  make  the 
attempt.  Though  my  hands  trembled  so  that  I  could 
hardly  hold  the  needles,  I  had  succeeded  in  taking 
off  two  or  three  stitches,  when  Annie  came  in  with 
the  whiskey  and  milk,  and  the  soldiei's,  having  en- 
joyed the  draught,  took  up  their  rifles,  and,  as  they 
left,  my  Rebel  friend  said,  '  Good  by,  Mrs.  Keener, 
good  by.     "Wliat  shall  I  call  your  blind  friend?' 

"  Mrs.  Keener  did  not  happen  to  be  quite  ready 
with  a  name,  so,  as  the  other  soldiers  were  outside 
the  door,  he,  with  a  merry  laugh,  said,  '  Good  l)y, 
Mrs.  Humbu":.' 


136  1    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  Mrs.  Keener  was  much  alarmed  lest  he  should 
betray  me,  and  she  would  then  have  to  suffer  for  it ; 
but  I  assured  her  that  I  had  no  fear,  for  that  soldier 
was  my  time  friend. 

" '  You  did  bravely,  not  to  open  your  eyes,'  said 
she.  '  I  don't  know  how  you  could  help  it,  when 
that  soldier's  hand  was  on  your  shoulder.' 

"  '  I  knew  it  was  a  friendly  grasp ;  but  when  the 
knitting  was  taken  from  me  and  returned,  I  came 
near,  very  near,  opening  my  eyes,  and  should  have 
done  so  if  the  guard  had  not  touched  my  foot  with 
his  as  a  hint.' 

"  Well,  to  make  a  long  story  shorter,  I  will  pass 
over  the  three  days  I  passed  at  that  good  woman's 
house.  By  that  time,  I  was  thoroughly  recruited, 
and  my  own  garments  (I  had  only  two,  such  as  they 
wei-e,  torn  and  filthy)  had  been  thrown  away.  Mrs. 
Keener  had  no  male  clothing  to  give  me.  I  was 
obliged  to  retain  the  disguise.  I  had  nothing  to 
give  the  poor  woman ;  but  if  ever  Virginia  is  re- 
stored to  the  Union,  I  will  go  to  that  place  again, 
and  she  shall  be  well  paid." 

"  Indeed  she  shall ! "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lockwell. 
"But  now,  Larry,  you  are  tired,  and  we  will  wait 
for  the  rest  of  your  narrative  till  another  day." 


"DIXIE."  137 

"  How  funny  you  must  have  looked,  Larry  !  "  said 
Blanche.  "  I  hope  you  brought  the  woman's  cap 
home  with  you." 

"  No ;  I  left  it  with  Mrs.  Keener ;  changed  it  for 
quite  as  funny  a  sun-bonnet,  made  of  pasteboard,  and 
covered  with  dark  blue  gingham.  If  you  think  it 
worth  while,  you  can  send  on  to  Mercy  Brunt  for  it. 
She  has  it  in  Washington,  —  actually  kept  the  bonnet 
as  a  memento  of  my  departed  womanhood.  I  felt 
anytliing  but  funny,  as  I  walked  off,  trii)ping  my 
feet  at  every  step  with  the  gown,  which  would, 
someliow,  entangle  them." 

"  Come,  come,  Larry,  you  must  rest  now,"  said 
the  mother. 


138  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOK. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

BAREFOOT     TRAVELLING. 

The  next  morning,  after  breakfast  was  over,  anti 
the  dining-room  in  order,  Mrs.  Lockwell  and  Blauclie 
resumed  their  work,  and  Larry  his  story. 

"  Annie  Keener  was  to  lead  me  to  the  next  town, 
so  that  if  we  met  any  of  the  sokliers,  I  was  stiU  to  be 
the  blind  friend  going  home.  Fortunately,  however, 
we  did  not  meet  any  of  them,  and  I  had  the  comfort 
of  keeping  my  eyes  open,  and  my  ears  too,  for  I  was 
in  constant  dread  of  such  a  meeting.  I  thought  my 
awkward  way  of  managing  my  new  clotliing  would 
certainly  betray  me.  In  addition  to  the  sun-bonnet 
I  have  mentioned,  I  wore  an  old  cotton  shawl,  which 
I  fear  the  good  woman  could  not  very  well  spare. 
Annie  chatted  all  the  way  along,  as  though  she 
really  enjoyed  the  walk,  and  when  we  came  in  sight 
•of  the  town,  we  had  walked  four  miles.  The  httle 
girl  then  said,  sorrowfully,  she  must  leave  me,  and, 
as  she  did  so,  she  held  out  a  quarter  of  a  dollar.    I  've 


BATIEFOOT   TRAVELLIXG.  139 

no  doubt  it  was  all  the  money  the  child  had  in  the 
world.  You  sec,  I  did  meet  with  angels  by  the  way, 
though  I  did  not  dream  of  them.  I  refused  the 
quarter  positively ;  but  Annie  threw  it  on  the  ground, 
and  scampered  off  at  full  speed  towards  home.  An- 
nie told  me  in  confidence  that  she  was  a  strong  Union 
7nan,  and  she  believed  her  mother  was  too,  though 
her  mother  never  said  so.  I  don't  doubt  ]\Irs.  Keener 
iss  a  true  Yankee,  like  many  othere,  who  are  com- 
l)elled  to  keep  it  to  themselves. 

"  When  I  entered  wliat  they  called  a  town,  I  was 
surprised  to  find  only  a  few  houses,  a  tavern,  a  black- 
smitli's  shop,  and  a  country  store  ;  but  neither  a 
church  nor  a  school-house.  There  were  a  few  old 
men  lounging  about,  and  plenty  of  idle  boys,  who 
saw  something  ridiculous  in  my  appearance,  and 
cried  after  me,  'What  makes  you  look  so  sluiky? 
Here  's  some  barrel-hoops  for  you.' 

"  I  hurried  on  as  fast  as  my  dress  would  allow, 
and  they  followed,  throwing  mud  and  stones  at 
me,  till  I  could  bear  it  no  longer;  then  I  took  up 
stones  and  threw  at  them.  One  of  the  biggest 
of  them  cried  out,  '  She  throws  like  a  boy ' ;  then 
I  threw  no  more,  I  assure  you,  but  fled  from  the 
rascals,  and  was  soon  out  of  their  reach,  they  standing 


140  I    AVILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

still  and  hooting  after  me,  '  You  'd  do  for  a  scare- 
crow.' 

"  When  I  was  fairly  out  of  the  town,  I  sat  do^\ni 
by  the  wayside  and  enjoyed  a  lunch  of  cold  sausage 
and  corn  bread,  which  Mrs.  Keener  had  put  in  my 
pocket.  That  sausage,  mother,  —  I  am  sure  we  in 
Pennsylvania  cannot  make  sausages  so  relishing,  so 
perfectly  delicious." 

"  Your  appetite  was  keen,"  said  Mrs.  Lockwell, 
laughing. 

"  Indeed,  mother,  that  Dixie  sausage  I  shall  never 
forget;  it  was  most  remarkable,  I  began  to  feel 
quite  courageous  after  it,  and  started  again  on  my 
journey,  following  a  '  pike,'  as  they  call  a  turapike- 
road,  not  knowing  where  it  would  lead.  I  walked 
on  and  on  till  simset,  when  I  saw  a  fine  house,  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  from  the  road,  with  a 
beautiful  avenue  of  trees  leading  to  the  handsome 
mansion, 

"  I  had  heard  much  of  Southern  hospitahty,  and 
when  I  saw  a  gentleman  sitting  in  the  front  piazza, 
■  quite  forgetting  iny  forlorn  appearance,  I  approached, 
and  was  going  to  make  a  bow,  when  suddenly  I  re- 
membered that  it  ought  to  be  a  courtesy ;  so  I  dropped 
down  quite  low,  and  himibly  asked  for  shelter  for  the 


BAREFOOT    TRAVELLING.  141 

niglit.  The  gentleman  took  his  cigar  from  his  mouth, 
and  eyed  me  suspiciously ;  then,  pointing  to  th(!  road, 
he  said,  '  Keep  on  your  way  there ;  you  'U  come  to  a 
tavern  after  a  mile  or  two.' 

"  *  But  I  am  very  tired,  and  night  is  coming  on  ; 
can't  I  sleep  in  some  outhouse  ?  ' 

"  '  Here,  Patsy,  drive  away  that  white  trash,'  said 
he  to  a  negro  woman  who  was  just  within  the  door. 

"  A  woman,  wearing  an  enormous  turban  of  many 
bright  colors,  came  out  with  a  long  feather-brush  in 
her  hand,  with  which  she  had  probably  been  driving 
flies  from  the  tea-table. 

"  Patsy  came  down  the  steps  flourishing  the  brush, 
and  began  scolding  me  in  her  queer  lingo,  '  G'  way, 
aint  you  gwine,'  and  seemingly  in  a  great  rage.  So 
she  drove  me  down  to  the  great  gate,  all  the  way 
flourishing  the  brush  over  my  hea<l,  and  bawling 
after  me,  at  the  top  of  her  voice,  '  White  trash,  sure 
'aough.' 

"  As  she  let  me  out  of  the  gate,  she  rolled  her  eyes 
in  the  most  astonishing  manner  towards  her  master, 
and  then  towards  me,  grinning  rather  than  huighing, 
though  it  was  meant  for  a  laugh,  for  there  came  a 
low  yaw,  yaw,  yaw.  Then  she  walked  a  few  steps 
with  me,  tiU  we  came  to  a  high  stone  wall.     There 


142  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

she  stopped.  '  Now,  poor  young  critter,  you  aint 
gwine  no  furder  dis  night ;  you  jis  stay  here,  close- 
by  dis  stone  wall,  till  Patsy,  that 's  I,  come  for  ye. 
Don'  ye  be  'fraid ;  de  good  Lord,  he  take  care  of  ye. 

"  So  she  left  me,  and  went  back  to  the  house.  I 
lay  do-vvn  by  the  stone-wall,  and  passed  three  mortal 
hours  or  more  in  a  state  of  intense  anxiety.  While 
there,  a  troop  of  Rebel  cavalry  dashed  by,  and 
almost  blinded  me  with  the  dust  they  raised,  but  no 
one  saw  me,  rolled  as  I  was  close  by  the  wall.  The 
tliin  shawl  I  wore  was  but  a  poor  protection  from 
the  coolness  of  the  night,  and  I  was  shivering  and 
in  a  sort  of  stupid  doze,  when  the  good  negro- 
woman  came  cautiously  out  of  the  gate,  and  stole 
softly  along  by  the  stone-wall  till  she  very  nearly 
stepped  on  my  head.  I  started  up,  and  she  said  in  a 
low  voice,  '  0  here  ye  be  !  Don'  ye  speak  a  word, 
but  come  offer  me.' 

"  I  followed  her  as  cautiously  as  she  could  desire 
to  an  outhouse  or  cabin,  which  was  her  own  liunible 
home,  if  home  it  might  be  called,  where  she  slejjt 
and  kept  the  few  goods  and  chattels  which  she,  a 
chattel  herself,  called  her  own. 

"  Patsy  was  a  house  servant,  and  her  hut  was  tol- 
erably comfortable.     She  asked  me  my  name,  and 


BAREFOOT   TRAVELLING.  143 

I  answered  '  Laury,'  —  as  near  my  own  name  as  pos- 
sible. 

"  She  brought  me  a  bowl  of  coffee  and  some  bis- 
cuit. As  I  was  taking  this  most  acceptable  supper, 
Patsy  said,  '  Take  oif  bonnet,  Laiu-y,'  and  before  I 
had  time  to  stop  her,  slie  untied  it  and  took  it  off. 
She  stared  at  me  for  a  moment ;  the  hut  was  dimly 
lighted  with  what  they  call  a  tallow  dip,  but  it  was 
light  enough  for  the  keen  eyes  of  the  woman,  who  ex- 
claimed, '  She  's  a  boy  !  she  's  a  runaway  white  boy  ! ' 

"  You  know  my  hair  had  been  cut  close  to  my 
head.  I  said  not  a  word,  but  put  down  the  bowl  of 
coffee,  and  began  to  cry  like  a  baby. 

"  '  Now  don'  ye  cry ;  ye 's  a  Yankee,  I  sure  o'  dat. 
Yankees  be  friends  to  poor  niggers.  I  'se  gwine  to 
take  care  of  ye ;  I  reckon  ye  may  trust  Patsy,  and 
ye  must  trust  de  good  Lord  too.  Now  take  de  cof- 
fee and  de  biscuit,  and  den  sleep  till  I  calls  ye,  while 
de  birds  are  singing  deir  first  mornin'  song." 

Then  she  left  me,  and  I  diil  sleep  soundly  till  slio 
awoke  me  at  an  early  hour.  Slie  brought  my  break- 
fast, and  would  not  take  my  poor  quarter-dollar  after 
all  the  trouble  I  had  given  her.  I  knew  slie  would 
be  punished  severely  if  her  master  knew  slie  had 
sheltered  a  Yankee,  and  said  something  about  my 


144  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

anxiety  on  her  account.  She  simply  told  me  she 
served  '  de  good  Lord,'  and  what  she  had  given  me 
for  supper  and  breakfast  she  had  not  taken  from 
Massa ;  young  IVIissy  had  given  the  '  tings '  to  her 
for  herself. 

"  There  now,  did  n't  I  meet  with  another  good 
angel ;  a  pure  Christian  spirit,  —  a  bright  jewel  in  a 
dark  casket?" 

"  A  real  black  diamond  !  "  said  Blanche. 

"  On  the  strength  of  my  good  breakfast  and  com- 
fortable night,  I  travelled  all  day  without  eatuig  a 
morsel,  and  just  as  night  was  coming  on  I  reached 
Fredericksbui'g.  The  town  was  full  of  Rebel  sol- 
diers ;  so  for  fear  of  them  I  crept  into  a  stable  and 
slept  on  the  hay ;  and  before  it  was  light  the  next 
morning,  I  got  out  of  the  place  as  fast  as  I  could,  and 
made  my  way  to  the  small  town  of  Stafford.  There 
I  asked  at  a  baker's  for  a  small  loaf  of  bread,  at  the 
same  time  sho^aug  my  money.  He  handed  me  a 
very  small  loaf,  and  took  my  quarter,  but  gave  back 
no  change.  By  tliis  time,  my  poor  old  shoes  were 
so  worn  out  that  they  would  no  longer  hold  on  my 
feet.  I  shall  never  forget  the  feelings  I  had  when  I 
thi'ew  those  slioes  away  ;  it  was  like  parting  with  the 
only  friends  I  had  left,  for  they  came  from  my  own 


BAREFOOT   TRAVELLING.  145 

dear  home.  That  was  one  of  my  hardest  days.  It 
had  rained  during  the  night,  and  my  bare  feet  stuck  at 
every  step  deep  in  the  mud.  The  sensation  of  going 
barefoot  was  one  of  the  most  disagreeable  that  can 
be  imagined.  I  never  before  had  felt  so  utterly  for- 
lorn. My  gown  was  flounced  with  mud,  or  rather 
had  a  border  several  inches  deep.  I  did  not  wonder 
at  the  scornful  looks  that  were  bestowed  upon  me. 
One  well-dressed  young  girl,  as  she  passed  me,  said 
to  her  companion,  '  Does  n't  she  look  like  the  last  of 
pea-time ! '  which,  I  suppose,  must  be  a  Virginia 
comparison.  Ko  one  offered  me  either  pity  or  insult 
that  dreadful  day,  and  I  dragged  myself  on  till  I 
reached  a  small  creek,  and  slept  under  a  bridge. 

"  The  next  morning,  a  wagoner,  who  was  going 
to  Aquia  Creek,  took  compassion  on  me,  and  carried 
me  to  that  place,  where  he  belonged.  He  was  kind 
to  me  after  a  fashion.  I  told  him  I  had  friends  in 
Washington,  and  must  get  to  them.  He  gave  me 
some  coarse  corn-bread  for  my  supper  when  he  fed 
his  horses,  and  let  mc  sleep  in  a  hay-loft. 

"  In  the  morning,  he  took  me  to  a  kind  of  sheltered 

tiny  bay,. or  bend  in  the  creek,  where  there  was  a 

small  schooner,  and  persuaded  the  Captain,  who,  I 

suspect,  was  some  kind  of  a  smuggler,  —  persuaded 

7  J 


146  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

Tii'm  to  land  me  somewhere  near  Alexandria.  The 
schooner  kept  close  by  the  land,  and  only  sailed  at 
night,  so  that  we  were  many  hours  going  from 
Aquia  Creek  to  the  place  where  I  was  landed. 
When  I  reached  Alexandria,  I  did  not  know  a  per- 
son there,  and  feared,  if  I  told  my  pitiful  story  to  any 
one,  I  should  not  be  believed;  so  I  pushed  on  for 
Washington  as  fast  as  my  tired  limbs  would  carry 
me,  determined  to  make  myself  known  to  the  Presi- 
dent or  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, — how,  I  could  not 
tell.  All  this  time  I  had  not  begged;  whatever  I 
received  had  been  given ;  like  the  man  in  the 
Bible,  to  beg  I  was  ashamed.  I  sat  down  very  often 
during  that  day,  but  at  last  reached  the  long  bridge, 
and  went  over  it,  leaving  tracks  of  blood  from  my 
feet,  as  many  a  poor  fellow  has  done  before  and 
since. 

"  Washington  !  Soldiers  everywhere  !  Every- 
body strange !  Nobody  taking  notice  of  the  miser- 
able beggar-girl !  Hungry,  cold,  despairing  at  last ; 
my  courage  had  somehow  kept  up  till  then,  but  now 
it  gave  way.  I  could  not  make  myself  known  to 
any  person  in  such  a  disgraceful  disguise,  as  it  now 
seemed  to  me.  Nobody  would  believe  me.  Utterly 
helpless  and  forlorn,  I  wandered  on,  shrinking  from 


BAREFOOT   TRAVELLING.  147 

observation,  when  suddenly  I  saw  before  me  an 
angel  of  mercy,  —  another  angel,  Blanche, — the  flesh- 
and-blood  angel,  IMercy  Brunt.  I  laid  my  hand  on 
her  shoulder;  she  recoiled  from  it  with  a  look  of 
blank  astonishment,  which,  for  some  reason  I  cannot 
explain,  was  exceedhigly  ludicrous,  and  I  smiled  for 
the  first  time  in  many  weeks,  and  said  INliss  Mercy 
Brunt  ought  to  know  Master  Lawrence  LockweU. 
The  smile  and  the  voice  were  familial'.  You  know 
the  rest.  Hurrah  for  Mercy  Brunt !  three  cheers  for 
Mercy  Brunt ! " 

"  JNIy  son  !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lockwell,  with  a 
violent  effort  to  restrain  her  tears  ;  "  you  have  n't 
expressed  your  gratitude  to  God  for  having  brought 
you  safely  home  at  last,  and  for  raising  up  those 
ministering  angels  for  you  in  a  time  of  need.  I  trust 
the  severe  trials  through  which  you  have  passed  will 
wean  you  from  your  love  of  the  sea  and  of  adven- 
ture." 

"  They  have  not  weaned  me  from  my  love  of 
country  any  more  than  they  have  from  my  dear 
mother  and  my  pleasant  home.  If  they  but  make 
me  wiser  and  better,  you  will  be  thankful  for  them,  I 
am  sure.  I  mean,  with  God's  help,  to  be  a  good 
sailor,  and,  in  time,  I  trust,  an  honor  to  the  navy." 


148  I   WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

Mra.  Lockwell  held  up  her  hands  in  astonishment, 
and  sighed  deeply ;  Blanche  cried,  "  Bravo !  I  call 
that  genuine  j)luck,  —  real  John  Bull  pluck  !  " 

"  Real  Yankee  pluck  ! "  said  Mr.  Mddlefield ;  "  a 
thrifty  shoot  from  the  old  Anglo-Saxon  tree." 


OFF,   OFF   AND   AWAT.  149 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

OFF,     OFF    AND     AWAT. 

Larry  had  been  home  for  a  couple  of  weeks,  when 
one  clear,  cold  morning,  Blanche  said,  "  Fine  skating 
on  the  pond  to-day;  are  you  weU  enough  to  try  it, 
Larry  ?  " 

"  That  I  am  !  I  saw  my  skates  yesterday,  and  will 
run  and  get  them  this  very  moment.  You  put  on 
your  wrappings,  and  we  '11  be  off." 

Half  an  hour  after,  they  were  keenly  enjoying  the 
enlivening  exercise. 

"  Who  taught  you  to  skate,  Blanche  ?  " 

"  I  taught  myself,  excepting  one  or  two  directions 
uncle  gave  me.  lie  has  been  very  kind  to  me,  and 
several  times  has  kept  walking  to  and  fro  on  the 
edge  of  the  pond,  while  I  was  enjoying  the  fun.  Do 
you  know  I  think  he  is  a  real  brick." 

"  Where  did  you  pick  up  that  slang  expression, 
Blanche  ?  " 


150  I   WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  In  England,  to  be  sure.  I  have  n't  caught  any- 
Yankee  slang  yet,  and  trust  I  never  shall." 

"  One  kind  of  slang  is  just  as  good  as  another,  for 
all  I  can  see." 

"  It  helps  one  when  strong  terms  are  needed,  but 
I  suppose  you  tliink  it  is  n't  lady-like.  I  am  no  milk- 
and-water  girl,  and  like  strong  terms.  If  I  were  a 
man,  I  think  I  should  swear." 

"  0  Blanche,  don't  say  that ;  you  shock  me." 

"  I  said  it  on  purpose.  Candidly,  I  achnire  the 
way  you  have  kept  yourself  from  swearing  among 
sailors  and  aU  sorts  of  people." 

They  Avent  home  after  a  while,  promising  them- 
selves the  pleasure  of  skating  again  the  next  day. 

On  their  return,  Mr.  JVIiddlefield  handed  Larry 
the  following  letter  from  Captain  Ringbolt :  — 

New  York,  January,  1862. 
Dear  Larrt  :  I  have  been  detained  here  longer 
than  I  expected.  The  delay  has  been  unavoidable, 
yet  these  delays  in  ai'my  and  navy  operations  are 
trying  beyond  all  expression.  K  the  epitaph  on  our 
country  is  to  be  written  (which  God  forbid),  it  will 
be  in  two  words,  —  Too  late.  But  let  us  not  yield 
to  the  weakness  of  despair.   Hope  gives  courage,  and 


OFF,    OFF    AND    AWAY.  151 

prompts  to  action.  "We  must  conquer,  —  we  must 
put  down  this  rebellion,  —  or  we  shall  have  no 
country ;  our  nationality  will  be  lost,  and  we  shall 
become  a  byword  to  all  other  nations. 

I  shall  be  ready  to  sail  in  four  days  from  this 

time,   in   command  of  the   new   iron-clad  ,  to 

which  I  have  lately  been  appointed.  Persuade  your 
grandfather  and  your  good  mother  to  let  you  come 
to  me  again  as  my  clerk.  I  need  you,  and  before 
many  months  you  shall  have  the  warrant  I  have 
promised  you.  I  will  give  you  a  state-room  opening 
into  my  cabin. 

I  write  in  great  haste,  and  depend  upon  seeing  you 
on  board  the  ,  sea-chest  and  self  in  prime  or- 
der, two  days  from  the  receipt  of  tliis.     Be  punctual. 

With  profound  respect  for  the  Hon.  Mr.  Middle- 
field,  the  true  patriot,  and  kind  regard  to  IVIrs.  Lock- 
well, 

Your  friend, 

Hector  Ringbolt. 

Mr.  Lawrence  Lockwell. 

Larry  went  to  his  mother  with  tlie  Ictfer,  Wlu-n 
she  had  read  it,  he  was  not  surprised  at  the  mournful 
expression  of  her  countenance. 


152  I   WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

"  Deal-  mother,"  said  he,  "  you  have  devoted  rae 
to  the  service  of  our  country :  do  you  repent  the 
sacrifice  ?  I  have  chosen  the  navy,  and  I  must  stick 
to  my  choice  through  thick  and  thin,  fire  and  water, 
for  better,  for  worse." 

The  mother  could  make  no  reply,  but  a  sorrowful 
shake  of  the  head. 

"  Suppose  everybody  who  has  suffered  in  this  war 
should  give  up,"  continued  Larry,  "  what  would  be- 
come of  us  ?  Soldiers  and  sailors  all  give  up  because 
we  have  now  and  then  met  with  defeat,  or  been 
wounded  and  taken  prisoners !  Would  n't  you  call 
them  arrant  cowards  ?  yes,  indeed  you  Avould  de- 
spise such  detestable  meanness.  Don't  look  so 
sorrowful,  mother  dear;  you  cannot  think  how  it 
pains  me  to  see  you  so  reluctant  to  have  me  leave 
you  again." 

"  But,  my  precious,  my  only  son,  you  came  so  near 
losing  your  life ! "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lockwell. 

"  I  did  n't  lose  it,  mother,  and  the  same  kind  Prov- 
idenee  will,  I  trust,  watch  over  me  again.  What 
says  grandpa  ?  " 

"  His  pride  as  a  man  is  gratified,  and  he  consents 
to  your  going  again ;  but  my  affection  is  stronger 
than   my   pride.      He    admires   your   heroism,  and 


OFF,    OFF    AND    ATVAT.  153 

looks  forward  to  the  time  when  you  will  distinguish 
yourself  in  the  navy.  I  only  see  what  you  may 
suffer,  and  the  awful  probability  of  your  losing  your 
life." 

"  I  might  suffer  by  sickness  at  home  ;  I  might  fall 
into  the  skating-pond  and  be  drowned ;  I  might  be 
tlu'own  from  my  horse  and  killed  or  lamed  for  life." 

"  My  dear  boy,  must  I  yield  ?  It  is  like  sacrificing 
the  poor  man's  one  ewe-lamb !     God  help  me  ! " 

"  He  will,  dear  mother,  he  will.  Trust  me  to  his 
care  and  keeping." 

Larry's  preparations  for  departure  were  promptly 
made.  It  is  needless  to  dwell  upon  the  parting  scene. 
It  required  all  the  boy's  resolution  to  tear  himself 
from  his  weeping  mother.  He  need  not  have  been 
ashamed  of  the  tears  that  streamed  down  his  owu 
cheeks ;  they  were  for  her,  and  not  for  himself.  It 
was  no  proof  of  want  of  manliness  to  weep  at  such 
a  parting.  Blanche  kept  herself  out  of  sight;  but 
when  Larry  reached  the  gate,  and  turned  for  a  last 
look,  a  white  Jiandkerchief  was  waved  from  an  upper 
window. 

]\Ir.  MiddlefieW  accompanied  Larry  as  far  as  Pliil- 
adelphia. 

7* 


154  I  WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

Larry  reached  New  York  before  the  vessel  was 
ready  to  sail,  and  was  warmly  welcomed  by  Captain 
Ringbolt. 

Larry  was  much  pleased  to  find  his  shipmate,  Tom 
Brunt.  That  good  fellow  had  won  the  esteem  of  the 
Captain,  and  had  been  promoted  from  a  common 
sailor  to  be  a  sergeant  in  the  marines. 

"  Sealed  orders,"  said  the  Captain.  "  We  shall 
not  know  our  destination  till  we  are  under  way  and 
outside  the  Hook.  I  think,  however,  it  is  safe  to 
say  we  shall  soon  be  in  a  warmer  latitude,  and 
have  warm  work  to  do." 

LETTER  FROM  LARRY. 

Steamer ,  Sandy  Hook. 

Dear  Mother  :  We  are  under  way,  steaming 
down  the  harbor,  and  as  I  may  not  have  a  chance 
to  write  to  you  again  for  some  time  to  come,  I  must 
send  you  a  line  by  the  pilot. 

The  is  a  fine  steamer;   but  I  am  strongly 

attached  to  frigates,  and  like  to  go  by  the  wind,  like 
Tom  Brunt,  who,  however,  has  become^  so  weU  rec- 
onciled to  steam,  that  he  is  now  on  board.  He  is 
occupied  just  now,  and  cannot  write  to  his  sister,  and 
wishes  you  to  do  him  the  favor  of  writing  to  Mercy, 


OFF,    OFF   AND   AWAY.  155 

to  tell  her  how  and  where  he  is.  I  do  not  feel  a 
single  regret,  dear  mother,  at  having  again  ventured 
to  sea.  I  know  all  the  dangers  now,  and  some  of 
the  suflfering,  that  may  be  endured.  The  same  dan- 
gers are  encountered  on  the  ocean  by  thousands  and 
thousands  wlio  leave  home  for  pleasure  or  for  profit. 
"Why,  then,  should  not  perUs  by  sea  be  encountered 
by  others  where  such  vast  interests  are  at  stake  as 
those  now  involved  in  this  war  for  the  Union  ? 

But  how  absurd  it  is,  my  dear  mother,  for  me  to 
attempt  to  reason  with  you  !  It  is  hardly  respectful. 
Forgive  me.  I  trust  you  are  now  quite  reconciled 
that  I  should  peril  Ufe  itself  in  such  a  cause.  Wher- 
ever I  may  be,  and  under  whatever  circumstances,  it 
is  a  sweet  consolation  to  know  that  you  constantly 
remember  in  your  prayers  your  LaiTy. 

P.  S.  Best  love  to  grandpa  and  Blanche. 


156  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    XX 


THE     BYWORD. 


Nothing  had  been  heard  from  Larry  in  a  long 
time,  and  May,  with  all  its  greenness  and  beauty, 
had  once  more  clad  the  rejoicing  earth. 

"  Blanche,  what  are  you  reading  ?  You  seem 
much  interested,"  said  Mrs.  Lockwell,  "and  I  see 
a  smile  on  your  face." 

They  were  sitting  together  at  a  centre-table,  with 
a  bright  lamp  between  them. 

"  I  am  reading  an  article  in  Fraser's  Magazine, 
written  by  an  Englishwoman.  I  will  read  out  the 
passage  that  caused  the  smile.     She  says :  — 

" '  I  know  not  whether  the  experience  of  a  single 
traveller  may  be  of  much  avail ;  but  in  these  days, 
wheii  so  much  blind  prejudice  is  suffered  to  grow  in 
England  against  the  Northern  Americans  and  in 
favor  of  the  South,  I  would  fain  record  the  testi- 
mony of  a  woman,  who,  having  travelled  over  a 
large  part  of  Europe  and  the  East,  has,  perhaps, 


THE    BYWORD.  0)7 

more  opportunities  than  most  men  or  women  of 
judging  of"  the  standtird  of  courtesy  of  different  na- 
tions. The  result  of  my  experience  has  been  tliis : 
If  at  any  time  I  needed  to  find  a  gentleman  who 
should  aid  me  in  any  little  difficulty  of  travel,  or 
show  me  kindness,  with  that  consideration  for  wo- 
man, as  a  woman,  which  is  the  true  tone  of  manly 
courtesy,  then  I  should  desire  to  find  a  North 
American  gentleman.  And  if  I  wished  to  find  a 
lady  who  should  join  company  for  any  voyage  or 
excursion,  and  who  should  be  sure  to  show  unvary- 
ing good-temper,  cheerfulness,  and  liberality,  then 
I  sliould  wish  for  a  Nortli  American  lady.  I  do 
not  speak  of  defects  which  English  travellers  often 
lay  at  the  door  of  the  whole  nation,  because  tliey 
meet  in  Europe  Americans  of  a  social  rank  below 
any  which  attempts  to  travel  and  sit  at  taliles- 
d'hote  of  our  own  population.  I  speak  of  wh;it  a 
genuine  Yankee  is  to  a  fellow-traveller,  —  to  a 
lady  without  companion  or  escort,  wealth  or  rank. 
They  are  simply  the  most  kind  and  courteous  of  any 
people.  Let  Englishmen  be  pleased  to  run  their 
])reiiidices  where  they  like,  it  behooves  at  least  an 
Englishwoman,  whom  they  have  never  failed  to 
treat  with  kindness,  to  speak  of  the  ford  as  she 
found  it 


158  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

" '  As  to  the  Southern  Americans,  it  must  be 
confessed  that  their  chivahy  partakes  a  good  deal 
too  much  of  a  quaUty  which  doubtless  colored  all 
the  supposed  romantic  manners  of  the  Middle 
Ages,  and  must  reappear  when  society  is  divided 
between  despots  and  serfs. 

" '  I  happened  once  to  be  dining  alone  at  the 
convent  at  Ramleh,  the  Franciscan  lay-brother  and 
my  Piedmontese  dragoman  conversing  together  mean- 
while. The  talk  ran  on  the  travellers  to  Pales- 
tine, and  both  agreed  that  the  Americans  were 
the  most  numerous  of  any,  but  singulai'ly  diverse  in 
character.  "  Some  of  them,"  said  the  monk,  "  are 
buomssime  gente,  but  some  others,  —  oh !  they  or- 
dered me  about,  and  never  said  a  word  of  thanks, 
as  if  I  were  then*  servant."  "Worse  than  that," 
said  the  Piedmontese,  Abnego;  "I  twice  served 
them  as  dragoman,  and  they  treated  me  Hke  a  dog. 
I  left  them,  though  they  paid  me  well ;  for  I  could 
not  endure  it.  They  came  from  the  Southern 
States,  where  they  have  slaves."  "  Ah  !  si !  "  said 
the  Franciscan,  "  qu'est'orrible  schiavitu  ! " ' 

"  What  do  you  think  of  that,  cousin  ?  "  exclaimed 
Blanche. 

"  I  think  there  are  gentlemen  at  the  South  as  well 


THE    BYWORD.  159 

as  at  the  North ;  but  I  take  the  testimony  of  your 
countrywoman  to  be  candid  and  true." 

"  And  so  do  I,"  warmly  responded  Blanche.  "  My 
Uncle  INliddlefield  is  a  more  perfect  gentleman,  ac- 
cording to  my  idea,  than  Uncle  Mowbray,  who  is 
one  of  the  proudest  Englishmen  in  the  world,  and  he 
despises  a  Yankee  as  he  does  a  baboon.  And  you, 
cousin,"  continued  Blanche,  springing  up  and  throw- 
ing her  arms  around  the  neck  of  Mrs.  Lockwell,  to 
the  detriment  of  her  nice  linen  collar,  —  "  you,  cousin, 
are  the  most  complete  lady  I  have  ever  seen,  — 
excepting,  always,  old  black  ISIilly,"  she  added,  with 
a  merry  laugh. 

"  If  it  had  n't  been  for  that  exception,  your  com- 
pliment would  have  been  oveqiowering,  as  well  as 
your  embrace,"  said  lyii's.  Lockwell,  joining  in  the 
laugh. 

"  Cousin,  I  did  n't  read  what  the  Englishwoman 
said  about  some  Southern  ladies  whom  she  met  in 
travelling,  because  it  reminded  me  so  much  of  what 
I  said  about  London  and  England  when  I  first  came 
to  this  country." 

"  ^\aiat  was  it,  Blanche  ?  " 

"  They  poured  the  ISIississippi  domi  the  English- 
woman's throat.     There  was   nothin"  on   earth   to 


160  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOR. 

be  compared  to  a  IMississippi  steamboat  in  splendor ; 
the  Nile  was  just  like  the  JMississippi ;  Jerusalem 
was  not  near  so  fine  as  New  Orleans.  Even  when 
they  reached  the  River  Jordan,  and  the  English- 
woman's enthusiasm  was  raised  to  the  highest  pitch 
at  the  sight  of  the  sacred  old  river,  the  Southern 
woman  exclaimed,  *  Interesting,  is  n't  it.  Miss  C.  ? 
It  reminds  me  so  much,  you  can't  think,  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi.' 'And  so,  from  Elijah  and  the  Baptist,' 
said  INIiss  C,  'I  was  conveyed  down  a  torrent  of 
eloquence  to  New  Orleans.'" 

"  Apropos  of  New  Ox'leans,"  exclaimed  IMr.  IVIid- 
dlefield,  entering  the  room  with  a  newspaper  in  his 
hand.  "  News,  glorious  news  !  The  bombardment 
of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and  their  surrender." 

"  And  do  you  think  my  Lany  was  there  ?  "  asked 
the  agitated  ]^Ii'S.  Lockwell. 

"  I  think  there  is  no  doubt  of  it,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Let  me  get  an  atlas,  uncle,  and  see  where  these 
forts  are,  for  I  have  n't  the  slightest  notion  of  where 
the  IMississippi  is.  I  don't  know  anything  about 
American  geography." 

While  Blanche  went  for  the  atlas,  Mr.  Middle- 
field  continued,  "  I  have  no  doubt  that  Captain  Ring- 
bolt's vessel  was  one  attached  to  the  Gulf  Squadron 


THE    BYWORD.  161 

that  rendezvoused  at  Key  "West  and  Ship  Island,  and, 
my  dear  daughter,  you  must  bear  up  bravely  till  you 
hear  from  Larry." 

"  Here  is  the  grand  IMississippi,"  said  Blanche,  as 
she  returned  with  the  atlas.  "  I  don't  wonder  that 
those  Southern  Avnniou  felt  pi'oud  of  it." 

"  But  it  don't  belolig  to  the  South  any  more  than 
to  the  North ;  you  might  as  well  talk  of  an  artery  as 
belonging  to  the  heart,  when  it  is  sent  over  the  whole 
body,  and  you  might  a.s  well  cut  off  tliat  same  artery 
as  to  cut  off  the  Mississippi  from  the  Northwestern 
States." 

"  Here  are  the  forts,  near  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
or  one  of  its  mouths ;  now,  uncle,  please  tell  us 
something  more  about  the  bombardment." 

"  The  bombardment  lasted  six  days." 

"  Fearful !  "  exclaimed  the  mother,  shuddering  at 
the  thought  of  her  boy's  danger. 

"  Uncle,  I  suppose  you  say,  like  old  Caspar  in  the 
ballad,  '  But  it  was  a  glorious  victory  ! '  " 

"  It  was  indeed  !  Captain  Porter,  from  his  mortar- 
fleet,  rained  upon  those  forts  an  awful  storm  of  shells, 
and  the  enemy  was  at  last  obliged  to  suiTcnder. 
INIeanthne,  Farragut  ran  his  fleet  right  between  the 
forts." 

s 


162  I   WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

"  And  we  must  wait  ever  so  long,  I  suppose,  be- 
fore we  can  hear  from  our  sailor-boy,"  said  Blanche. 

"  0  here  is  something  that  may  relate  to  Larry 
himself.  It  is  an  extract  from  a  private  letter  from 
New  Orleans  in  this  comer  of  the  paper  :  '■ — 

"  '  A  gunner  was  shot  doTVTi  while  firing  one  of  the 

big   guns   on   the    steamer   ■',   and   a    boy,    not 

more  than  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  old,  a  gallant  boy, 
actually  took  command  of  the  gun,  and  that  gun  did 
execution,  wonderful  execution ;  several  men  were 
shot  down  beside  the  boy,  but  he  kept  his  place,  and 
escaped  without  a  wound.'  " 

"  Hurrah  for  Larry!"  shouted  Blanche  ;  "just  like 
him." 

IVIrs.  Lockwell  was  silent,  but  neither  she  nor  the 
grandfather  doubted  that  the  boy  was  Larry,  and  the 
mother's  thanksgiving  for  his  spared  life  was  most 
heartfelt. 

"  I  hate  those  nasty  Rebels  !  "  exclaimed  Blanche, 
striking  her  fist  upon  the  table  as  violently  as  though 
the  blow  were  intended  for  one  of  them. 

"  Do  not  use  that  disagreeable  word,  Blanche ;  it 
is  too  vulgar  to  come  from  a  young  girl's  mouth," 
remonstrated  ]\Ir.  JMiddlefield. 

"  What,  nasty !     It  is  a  good  English  word,  and 


THE   BYWORD.  1G3 

just  fit  to  apply  to  those  homd  traitors  at  the  South 
that  I  used  to  think  were  such  perfect  gentlemen." 

"  It  is  not  a  word  used  among  people  of  education 
and  refinement,"  replied  Mr.  Middlefield,  in  his  most 
dignified  manner, 

"  I  have  heard  it  used  by  the  best  bred  and  best 
educated  ladies  and  gentlemen  in  England,  and  I 
suppose  it  is  universally  acknowledged  that  the  Eng- 
lish are  the  most  refined  people  on  the  face  of  the 
earth,  and  use  the  purest  language." 

Mr.  Middlefield  and  Mrs.  Lockwell  were  much 
amused  by  this  assumption,  and  the  latter  replied, 
laughingly,  "  Blanche,  don't  forget  Mississippi  ! 
Whenever  you  use  braggadocio  about  England,  I 
shall  remind  you  of  it  by  saying,  '  Mississippi,  IMis- 
sissippi ! ' " 


164  I   WILL    BE   A   SAILOR. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

THE    "WOUNDED     SAILOR. 

Day  after  day  passed,  aiid  no  news  came  from 
Larry.  Ah,  how  many  hearts  were  wrung  with 
anxiety  for  the  absent  ones  !  How  many  sought 
with  half-blinded  eyes  among  the  lists  of  the  killed 
and  womided  for  some  beloved  name,  with  a  mortal 
dread  of  finding  it  there  ! 

It  was  a  bright  morning  in  the  middle  of  May. 
Blanche  was  at  the  gate,  waiting  for  the  morning 
paper,  which  was  daily  dropped  there  by  the  post- 
man. As  she  looked  intently  down  the  road  leading 
to  Lancaster,  she  saw  some  one  coming  slowly, 
slowly  on  crutches,  —  some  one  in  a  sailor's  blue. 
It  must  be  Larry !  Slowly  and  feebly  he  came  for- 
ward, but  Blanche  was  too  anxious  to  stay  at  the 
gate,  and  ran  forward  to  meet  him. 

A  pale,  thin  face  met  her  eye,  but  it  was  not 
Larry's. 


"  Poor  fellow  '.  "  cried  r.l;in<-lio,  "  you've  been  woundcfl ;  where 
did  you  come  from  r  "     Pasje  Kir). 


THE    -ROUNDED    SAILOR.  1G5 

"  Poor  fellow  !  "  cried  Blanche,  "  you  've  been 
■vronnded.     Where  did  you  come  from  ?  " 

"  Straight  from  New  Orleans  !  "  was  the  reply. 

"  From  New  Orleans  !  "  They  were  now  at  the 
gate.     "  Come  m  and  rest  yourself." 

"  Thank  you,  INIiss  ;  I  am  rather  tired,  and  should 
be  glad  to  stop  awhile." 

Blanche  opened  the  gate  for  the  stranger,  and  then 
ran  to  the  house  to  say  that  a  poor,  wounded  sailor, 
from  New  Orleans,  was  coming,  and  perhaps  might 
tell  them  something  about  Larry.  Mr.  IVIiddlefield 
and  Mrs.  Lockwell  tliought  it  very  doubtful ;  but 
hastened  to  the  door,  there  to  meet  Tom  Bi'unt. 
Tom  Brunt  indeed,  but  alas !  how  changed  from  the 
hale,  hearty  fellow  of  other  days.  He  stood,  leaning 
on  his  crutches,  but  made  out  to  touch  his  blue  sailor- 
cap  in  the  most  respectful  manner,  and  the  first  words 
he  spoke  were,  "  How  's  sister  Mercy  ?  " 

"  Come  in,  come  in,  and  we  will  tell  you  all  about 
her,"  said  Mrs.  Lockwell. 

"  Right  glad  to  see  you,  Tom ! "  exclaimed  Mr. 
JMiddlefield,  with  warmth,  as  he  laid  his  hand  on 
Tom's  shoulder. 

Tom  was  placed  on  a  sofa,  and  no  questions  asked, 
till  Mrs.  Lockwell  had  ordered  some  refreshments. 


166  I   WILL    BE   A   SAILOR. 

"  I  've  got  into  a  snug  harbor,"  said  Tom,  while 
Blanche  took  his  crutches  and  laid  them  aside,  as 
tendei'ly  as  though  they  were  wounded  limbs.  "  I  've 
got  into  a  safe  harbor,  I  say,"  continued  Tom  ;  "  but 
I  must  go  to  my  sister." 

"  Your  sister  is  in  a  hospital  at  Washington,  taking 
care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,"  replied  Mrs. 
Lockwell. 

"  Just  like  her  !  God  bless  her !  "  exclaimed  Tom. 

A  black  face,  with  a  frizze  of  gray  hair  around  it, 
was  thrust  in  at  the  parlor-door,  and  then  a  shout, 
"  Lor'  a'  massy,  it 's  our  Tom,"  and  then  an  apron 
was  thrown  over  the  gray  head,  and  heart-breaking 
sobs  followed. 

"  Milly,  Milly,  come,  don't  cry ;  I  've  come  home 
alive,  and  I  'm  right  glad  to  see  you." 

"  Poor  fellow,  you  ain't  half  aliie.  You  're  white 
as  a  sheet,  and  as  slim  as  a  bean-pole,"  sobbed  out 
Milly,  letting  her  apron  fall,  and  looldng  at  Tom  with 
a  most  pitiful  expression  on  her  dark  face. 

"  How  came  you  here  so  soon,  Milly  ? "  asked 
Tom. 

"  I  lives  here  now  Missy  Mercy  's  away  ;  but  I  '11 
go  right  home  and  get  ready  for  you  to  come,  and 
I  '11  have  your  Sunday  clothes  all  laid  out  for  you." 


TnE   -WOUNDED    SAILOR.  167 

"  All  right,  IMilly.     I  '11  be  coming  along  soon." 

"  But  you  have  to  go  on  all  foui-s,"  said  INIilly, 
pointing  to  the  ci'utches. 

"  Yea,  just  now  ;  but  I  have  n't  lost  a  leg,  as  many 
a  better  man  has  in  this  wai*." 

"  I  '11  go  and  cook  up  something  for  your  dinner, 
may  n't  I,  Missy  Lockwell  ?  He  looks  like  a  starved 
chicken." 

"  But  here  's  a  cliicken  that  was  n't  starved,  Milly," 
said  Tom,  as  a  servant  brouglit  in  a  tray,  on  which 
was  a  fried  chicken  and  other  things,  for  a  nice  break- 
fast. 

Milly  hastened  to  the  brown  cottage. 

"  You  don't  ask  about  Master  Larry,"  said  Tom, 
before  tasting  of  the  nice  breakrast. 

*'  Do  you  bring  news  of  him  ?  "  timidly  asked  the 
mother. 

"  The  best  of  news.  I  left  him  alive  and  flourish- 
ing." 

"  That  is  enough  for  the  present,"  said  Mr.  Middle- 
field.  "  I  will  leave  you  to  take  breakfast,  and  como 
back  to  hear  more." 

Blanche  seated  herself  by  a  window,  and  ke])t  her 
eyes  upon  whatever  met  them  witliout,  from  a  delicate 
consideration  for  the  awkwardness  the  sailor  Showed 


168  I    -WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

about  taking  his  breakfast  before  ladies.  Mrs.  Lock- 
well  plied  her  needle  as  though  it  were  a  matter  of 
the  greatest  consequence  that  the  garment  she  was 
making  should  be  finished  immediately. 

"  You  have  reason  to  be  very  proud  of  Larry," 
said  Tom,  before  he  had  half  finished  the  bountiful 
meal.  ' 

"  We  can  wait  till  you  have  done,"  said  Mrs.  Lock- 
well. 

"  I  am  as  impatient  to  tell  as  you  are  to  hear,"  said 
Tom.  «  Will  Mr.  Middlefield  please  to  come  in  ?  " 
the  sailor  asked,  after  he  had  fully  partaken  of  the 
relisliing  meal.  "  I  am  rested,  and  feel  like  another 
man.  I  said  you  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  Law- 
rence Lockwell,  for  everybody  in  our  vessel  was 
proud  of  him,  from  captain  down  to  cabin-boy." 

"  There  !  I  thought  the  boy  mentioned  in  the 
paper  in  such  flattering  terms  must  have  been  our 
Larry.     Go  on,  Tom,"  said  the  grandfather. 

"  You  've  read  all  about  the  taking  of  the  Forts 
Jackson,  St.  Philip,  and  the  rest  of  them  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  but  we  want  to  hear  more  about  them 
from  one  who  was  in  the  action,"  said  Mr.  Middle- 
field. 

"  It  lasted  six  days,  the  bombardment  did,  —  and 


THE    •WOUNDED    SAILOR.  1C9 

such  a  bombardment !  it  seems  to  be  still  roaring  in 
my  ears.  You  know  Ca]>tain  David  D.  Porter,  as 
brave  a  man  as  ever  breathed,  had  command  of  the 
mortar  fleet.  The  Rebels  fired  into  that  fleet  for  six 
days,  almost  continually  ;  but  tlie  mortars  gave  back 
more  shells  than  the  Rebels  sent,  —  poured  it  in  like 
hail ;  but  Porter  could  n't  make  the  Reliels  give  up 
the  forts.  So  our  brave  Commodore  Farragut  deter- 
mined to  drive  our  seventeen  or  eighteen  vessels  right 
by  them  forts.  And  he  did  it,  while  Porter  let  them 
have  shells  all  the  while,  just  to  make  a  diversion  till 
we  in  the  other  fleet  got  safely  by  the  forts.  You 
know  that  the  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  did  after 
a  while  surrender  to  Captain  Porter.  I  was  n't  there 
at  the  time.  I  '11  tell  you  where  I  was,  Larry  and  I. 
Our  vessel  steered  right  up  stream,  and  when  we  got 
near  them  two  forts,  I  tell  you  they  sent  their  shot  at 
us,  and  hit  us  from  stem  to  stern.  You  know,  sir,  I 
belong  to  the  marines,  and  had  conmiand  of  a  gun. 
My  powder-boy  was  knocked  over  early  in  the  action, 
and  Larry  was  allowed  to  take  his  place.  lie  told 
the  Captain  he  must  have  somethmg  to  do.  The  ram 
Manassas  and  the  twenty-gun  iron  battery  bore  down 
upon  us.  *  Larry,'  said  I,  '  we  've  got  hot  work  be- 
fore us,'  *  Yes,'  said  lie,  '  fire  away.'  They  tried  to 
8 


170  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

but  US  with  the  ram ;  but  we  got  clear  of  it,  and 
sunk  three  of  their  small  steamers.  Ah,  sir,  then  it 
was  that  we  saw  the  Varima,  with  that  brave  officer, 
Captain  Boggs,  commanding.  Did  n't  he  fight  like 
a  bull-dog  ?  Two  of  them  horrid  rams  were  at  the 
Varuna  at  the  same  time,  one  at  her  bow,  and  the 
other  struck  her  in  the  port  gangway.  It  was  as 
much  as  we  could  do  to  hold  our  own,  or  we  should 
have  gone  to  her  aid.  The  Varuna  dragged  the 
iron-clad  round,  and  then,  while  close  to  the  crea- 
ture, gave  her  some  shells,  that  settled  the  matter 
for  her.  We  saw  the  Rebel  vessel  go  ashore  all 
of  a  blaze.  The  Varuna  began  to  sink ;  but  Cap- 
tain Boggs  got  her  near  the  shore,  and  tied  her 
to  a  tree ;  but  she  went  do^vn,  and  the  last  that 
was  seen  of  her  was  her  topgallantmast,  just  above 
water. 

"  I  did  n't  see  the  whole  of  this,  for  I  had  enough 
to  do  where  I  was ;  for,  after  a  while,  the  Rebels 
tried  to  board  us,  and  it  was  as  much  as  we  could 
do  to  keep  them  off,  —  three  of  them  at  once.  Aljout 
this  time,  two  of  the  men  at  my  gun  (you  know  I 
was  captain  of  the  gun),  —  two  of  my  men  were 
killed;  and  I  got  this  wound  in  my  neck  from 
a  piece  of  shell,  and  then  I  was  knocked  down 


THE    WOUNDED    SAILOR.  171 

by  another,  that  tore  ofF  the  calf  of  my  leg.  I 
was  carried  below,  and  the  surgeon  sewed  up  the 
wound  in  my  neck,  and  did  up  my  leg  first-rate. 
As  soon  as  I  could,  I  crawled  on  deck,  and  there 
was  Lai-ry  in  command  of  my  gun,  —  firing  away, 
as  if  he  had  been  a  marine  all  his  life,  —  a.s  cool 
as  a  cucumber.  He  's  fit  for  an  admiral,  or  will 
be,  when  he's  old  enough. 

"  I  have  n't  given  you  a  very  ship-shape  account ; 
but  you  will  underetand  how  we  destroyed  a  whole 
fleet  of  Rebel  steamers,  rams,  and  iron-clads.  While 
Captain  Porter  was  with  some  of  the  Rebel  officers 
on  board  the  Harriet  Lane,  and  flags  of  truce  flying 
on  three  of  our  steamers,  the  Rebels  set  fire  to  the 
Louisiana,  and  sent  her  down  stream,  expecting  her 
to  blow  up  the  greater  part  of  our  fleet.  The  guns 
were  shotted,  and  kept  going  off,  and,  finally,  she  ex- 
ploded with  a  thundering  noise.  "We  heard  it,  with- 
out knowing,  at  the  time,  what  it  was ;  for  we,  you 
know,  were  fighting  our  way  up  to  Orleans. 

"  I  must  tell  you  one  thing  more.  In  the  midst 
of  the  firing,  at  one  time,  it  was  necessary  to  send  a 
message  to  another  steamer,  al)out  half  a  mile  dis- 
tant. Larry  offered  to  go  with  the  message,  and  our 
Captain  consented,  rather  against  his  own  will.     So 


172  I   WILL    BE   A   SAILOR. 

a  boat  was  manned  with  four  sailors,  and  Larry  stood 
up  in  the  boat,  holding  the  flag  with  the  stars  and 
stripes.  You  ought  to  have  seen  how  cheerful  he 
looked,  and  how  beautiful.  Why,  you  might  have 
thought  he  was  going  to  a  wedding.  Shot  and  shell 
fell  all  round  him ;  but  he  did  n't  mind  them  any 
more  than  if  they  'd  been  snow-balls.  He  got  back 
safe  and  sound.  Now,  I  've  told  my  story,  and  must 
go  to  my  home." 

"  But  tell  us  how  you  came  home." 

"  I  was  among  the  wounded  who  came  in  the  ves- 
sel with  Captain  Bailey.  I  thank  you  all  for  listen 
ing  so  kindly  to  my  poor  way  of  telling  a  yarn. 
Good  day,  ladies,  —  good  day,  Mr.  Middlefield.  O, 
I  must  tell  you  that  Larry  was  as  kind  to  me  as  if 
I  had  been  his  own  brother.  He  looked  after  me 
every  day,  for  I  was  obhged  to  give  up  entirely,  my 
wounds  got  so  bad.  It  was  through  him  that  I  got  a 
chance  to  come  home.  Just  as  I  was  coming  off  I 
saw  Larry ;  he  gave  my  hand  a  squeeze,  and  said 
one  word,  '  Mother,'  then  he  kinder  clicked  up,  and  he 
could  n't  say  any  more.  He  's  but  a  boy  yet,  for  all 
he 's  so  brave  and  cute.  When  he  let  go  my  hand, 
he  left  in  it  this  big  gold  piece,  —  this  American 
eagrle." 


THE    WOUNDED    SAILOR.  173 

Tom  tossed  up  the  precious  piece,  and  caught 
it,  saying,  "  I  mean  to  keep  it  as  long  as  I  live,"  and 
then  hobbled  off. 

As  soon  as  he  had  left  the  room,  Blanche  said, 

"  That  reminds  me  of  the  British  sailor  our  poet 

Campbell   has   so  beautifully  described.      He   Avas 

taken  prisoner  by  the  French,  and  built  a  miserable 

little  boat  to  go  across  the  Straits  of  Dover  to  dear 

England.     The  sailor  was  brought  before  Bonaparte, 

who  questioned  him,  and  suggested  that  he  wished  to 

go  home  to  his  sweetheart. 

" '  I  have  no  sweetheart,'  said  the  lad, 
'  But  absent  long  from  one  another, 
Great  was  the  longing  that  I  had 
To  see  my  mother ! ' 

"'And  so  thou  shalt,'  Napoleon  said; 
*  You  've  both  my  favor  won; 
A  noble  mother  must  have  bred 
So  brave  a  son.' 

"  He  gave  the  tar  a  piece  of  gold, 

And  with  a  flag  of  truce  commanded 
He  should  be  shipped  to  England  old, 
And  safely  landed. 

"  Our  sailor  oft  could  scarcely  shift 
To  find  a  dinner  plain  and  hearty, 
But  never  changed  the  coin  and  gift 
Of  Bonaparte." 


174  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

Mrs.  Lockwell  could  not  find  it  in  her  heart  to  say 
"  Mississippi "  to  Blanche  this  time ;  besides,  the 
association  was  natural  and  almost  unavoidable. 
The  mischievous  girl,  with  an  arch  look  at  her  cousin, 
shouted,  "  Mississippi,  Mississippi  !  " 

Tom,  not  understanding  the  meaning  of  the  shout, 
as  he  was  about  to  put  his  blue  cap  on  his  head, 
swung  it  round,  and  in  his  turn  shouted,  "  Our  Mis- 
sissippi and  our  Union  forever  !  " 


NEW   ORLEANS.  175 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


NEW    ORLEANS. 


LETTER  FROM  LARRY  TO  MR.  MIDDLEFIELD. 

New  Orleans,  April  30, 1862. 

Dear  Grandpa  :  The  8th  of  January  is  out- 
done !  General  Jackson  defended  New  Orleans, 
and  saved  it  from  the  paw  of  the  British  Lion,  but 
FaiTagut  and  Porter  have  snatched  it  from  the 
Southern  rattlesnake,  and  Butler  wiU  keep  it ! 

You  have  probably  heard  before  this  of  the  terrific 
bombardment  frOra  our  fleets,  and  the  taking  of  Forts 
Jackson,  St  Philip,  Livingston,  and  Pike,  all  the 
batteries  below  and  above  New  Orleans,  and  the 
total  destruction  of  the  enemy's  gunboats,  steam-rams, 
floating-batteries,  fire-rafts,  obstructions,  booms,  and 
chains,  —  everything  that  the  enemy  had  constructed 
to  defend  the  city,  —  and  here  we  are.  Glorious  ! 
is  n't  it  ? 

Through  the  good  providence  of  God,  we  have 
triumphed  in  a  juat  cause,  and  I  ti-ust  I  am  truly 


176  I    WILL    BE   A    SAILOK. 

grateful,  especially  as  I  have  escaped  without  the 
slightest  wound.  My  escape,  however,  was  marvel- 
lous, for  before  I  had  anything  special  to  do,  early  in 
the  action,  I  went  up  to  the  main-top,  when  we  were 
near  the  bank,  and  first  one  bullet  went  through  the 
left  sleeve  of  my  jacket,  and  then  another  through 
the  jacket  itself  by  my  right  side.  The  coxswain 
ordered  me  down  forthwith. 

When  we  were  quite  near  the  city,  our  Commo- 
dore sent  a  very  pohte  note  to  Mayor  Monroe  to 
surrender,  for  he  did  n't  wish  to  fire  on  helpless 
women  and  childi-en  or  peaceable  ciu'zens.  The 
Commodore  said  they  must  pull  down  their  false 
Confederate  flag,  and  run  up  the  true-blue  Stars  and 
Stripes,  and  they  must  do  it  before  noon,  or  risk  the 
consequences.  What  else  could  the  Mayor  do  but 
surrender,  for  General  LoveU,  who  was  its  defender, 
had  evacuated  it  with  his  troops  ? 

As  soon  as  the  Mayor's  answer  was  received,  sur- 
rendering the  city,  Commodore  Farragut  sent  Captain 
Morris  to  hoist  our  flag  on  the  New  Orleans  Mint, 
and  when  the  old  Union  flag,  that  we  all  love  so 
dearly,  threw  out  its  thirty -four  stars  to  the  gazers' 
eyes,  there  went  up  cheers  long  and  loud.  The  26th 
of  April  is  a  day  to  be  marked  as  a  grand  one  in 
American  history. 


NEW    ORLEANS.  177 

At  eleven  o'clock  that  day,  a  signal  was  made  to 
the  fleet  for  divine  service.  As  you  may  not  have 
seen  Commodore  Fai'ragut's  order  on  that  occasion, 
I  will  copy  it,  just  as  it  was  sent  to  oiu-  steamer. 

"  United  States  Flag-Ship  Barlford, 
Off"  the  Citj'  of  New  Orleans,  April  26,  1862. 
(Genkral  Order.) 

"  Eleven  o'clock  this  morning  is  the  hour  ap- 
pointed for  all  the  officers  and  crews  of  the  fleet  to 
return  tlianks  to  Almighty  God,  for  his  great  good- 
ness and  mercy  in  permitting  us  to  pass  through  the 
events  of  the  last  two  days  with  so  little  loss  of  life 
and  blood.  At  that  hour  the  church  pennant  will  l)e 
hoisted  on  every  vessel  of  the  fleet ;  and.  their  crews 
assembled  will,  in  humiliation  and  prayer,  make 
their  acknowledgments  therefor,  to  the  Great  Dis- 
penser of  all  human  events. 

"D.  G.  Farragut, 

Flag  Officer  Western  Gulf 

lUoekadlng  S<jnailron." 

"Isn't  that  sublime?"  said  my  Captain,  when  he 
read  the  order.  "  Not  a  word  of  triumph  !  Humili- 
ation and  prayer !  Thanksgiving  for  our  si)ar(.'d 
lives!  Larry,  my  boy,"  he  continued,  "  thougli  I 
have  said  not  a  word  to  you  till  now  about  your  own 

8*  L 


178  I   WILL  BE   A   SAILOR. 

conduct  during  these  many  days,  you  may  be  sure  it 
has  not  been  unnoticed,  and  shall  be  mentioned  when 
it  wUl  be  of  service  to  you." 

I  thanked  him,  and  could  n't  help  sa}ang  that  1 
tried  to  follow  the  example  of  my  Captain,  for  in- 
deed he  had  managed  our  vessel  with  wonderful  skill 
and  courage.  I  hope  Tom  Brunt  has  told  you  all 
about  it. 

]My  dear  mother  would  have  been  tenderly  moved 
could  she  have  heard  the  ser\dces  on  board  our  ves- 
sels.    Officei-s  and  crews  were  assembled,  and  there 
went  up,  as  incense  to  Heaven,  the  prayers   and 
.praises  of  thousands  of  grateful  hearts. 

With  best  love  to  her,  and  to  Blanche,  I  am,  my 
dear  grandfather,  your  own 

Larry. 

P.  S.  I  shall  write  again  very  soon. 

"  The  boy  does  not  boast  of  his  own  daring  deeds. 
He  seems  as  modest  as  he  is  brave,"  remarked  the 
grandfather.  "  "We  must  have  his  frigate  Constitu- 
tion handsomely  mounted  and  placed  on  a  bracket  ia 
the  parlor.  It  was  an  early  indication  of  his  taste 
for  a  seafaring  life." 

"  Napoleon,  no  doubt,  had  cannons  for  playthings 


NEW    ORLEANS.  179 

when  he  was  a  boy.  I  wish  I  had  not  mdulged  my 
Larry  in  his  fancy  for  ships  ;  we  ought  to  watch 
these  early  tendencies,  that  we  may  change  them," 
said  ]\lrs.  LockwelL 

"  No,  my  daughter ;  varieties  in  tastes  and  ten- 
dencies are  wisely  ordered,  and  we  must  not  go 
against  them,  unless  they  tend  to  evil.  No  boy 
should  follow  the  extunple  of  Larry,  unless  he  is 
sure  of  possessing  the  qualifications  for  a  steady, 
faithful,  courageous  sailor." 

"  I  would  bet  a  guinea  that  our  Nelson  was  a 
sailor  in  fancy  by  the  time  he  was  four  years  old ; 
and  our  Wellington  was  a  soldier,  with  a  sword  by 
his  side,  when  he  was  not  more  than  five." 

«Ah,  Blanche!  —  " 

"  Please,  cousin,"  interrupted  Blanche,  "  do  not 
throw  that  word  at  me  ;  I  am  too  much  interested  in 
tliat  splendid  river  to  hear  it  named  as  a  byword." 


180  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

FARRAGUT    AND    PORTER. 

"Worn  out  by  constant  care,  and  watching  day 
and  night  by  the  sick  and  dying  soldiers,  Mercy 
Brunt  was  obliged  to  return  home. 

It  was  well  that  Tom  had  rapidly  recovered,  for 
now  his  sister  needed  the  most  tender  nursing.  INIrs. 
Lockwell  and  Blanche  by  turns  assisted  IMilly  in 
that  task. 

Mrs.  Lockwell  was  sitting  with  Mercy  one  morn- 
ing in  the  early  part  of  June,  —  lovely,  "  leafy 
June,"  —  and  Tom  was  enjoying  the  fragrant  air 
in  an  ai-m-chaii-  by  the  cottage  door. 

MiUy  was  weeding  in  the  small  garden  in  front  of 
the  cottage,  among  Mercy's  flowers. 

"  It 's  perfectly  'stonishing  how  that  furren  gal  has 
changed  sin'  she  's  been  here.  She  was  so  all-fired 
proud  at  fust,  and  sassy  too  ;  now,  she  's  as  gentle  as 
a  lamb  with  our  Marcy,  and  as  good  a  nuss  as  Missy 
Lockwell,  and  most  as  good  as  I  be." 


FARRAGUT  AND  PORTER.         181 

"  Toil  have  a  good  opinion  of  yourself,"  said  Tom, 
lauirliing. 

"  I  has  a  riglit  to  it  when  I  talks  of  nussin'.  That 
word  nussin'  makes  me  think  of  cussin' ;  and  Rebble 
aUus  makes  me  think  of  Debbie  ! " 

"  I  am  sorry,  Milly,  that  such  bad  words  come  into 
your  head." 

"  "Well,  Massa  Tom,  I  puts  'em  out  quick  as  I  can, 
but  the  Debbie  tempts  me  to  cuss  them  Southern 
Rebbles.     I  knows  'em,  I  knows  'em  !  " 

"  But  we  should  not  curse  any  one  ;  the  Good 
Book  forbids  it." 

"  It 's  di-efFul  hard  to  get  rid  of  old  ways  ;  when  I 
was  a  little  pickaninny,  my  old  massa  made  mo 
swear,  'cause  he  said  it  sounded  so  funny.  You 
know  I  was  a  born  slave,  and  heard  awful  cussin' 
and  swearin'  down    South." 

'*  That 's  no  reason  why  you  should  do  so  wickedly 
now,  when  you  hear  nothing  of  that  sort." 

"  It 's  old  Milly's  temptation,  IMassa  Tom.  I  '3 
trpn'  to  be  a  Christian,  but  it 's  drefful  hard  work  to 
lub  my  enemies." 

"  It  is,  indeed,  Milly  ;  but  we  can  try  not  to  hate 
them.  I  am  sorry  for  them.  Yes,  jNIilly,  I  pity  the 
Rebels,  and  glad  enough  I  should  be  for  peace,  if  we 


182  I    "WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

could  have  it ;  but  I  see,  as  plain  as  you  see  that 
weed  you  are  rooting  out,  that  we  can't  have  it  till 
they  are  conquered.  Suppose  you  should  let  all 
them  weeds  grow,  what  would  become  of  your  gar- 
den ?  " 

"  Come  of  it !  why,  Massa  Tom,  we  should  n't 
have  no  garden  ;  they  'd  root  out  ebbryting,  I  've 
got  to  fight  'em  out  just  as  you  do  the  Rebbles." 

"  You  don't  hate  the  weeds,  Milly,  though  you  're 
obliged  to  root  them  out  to  save  your  garden ;  so 
we  've  got  to  conquer  the  Rebels,  or  be  conquered 
by  them." 

"  I  does  hate  the  weeds,  and  I  does  hate  the 
Rebbles  like  pison  !  "  exclaimed  Milly,  giving  a 
stout  pull  at  a  burdock-root. 

"  No,  Milly,  you  must  n't  hate  them ;  you  must 
pray  for  them,  that  they  may  see  the  error  of  their 
ways,  their  awful  sin  in  bringing  aU  this  evil  on  our 
country.  My  sister  Mercy  has  been  just  as  kind  to 
the  wounded  Rebels  in  the  hospitals  as  to  our  own 
men." 

"  I  knows  it ;  she 's  the  Christianest  woman  in 
this  world,  and  would  if  she  died  go  straight  up  to 
the  New  Jerusalem ;  but  she  ain't  gwine  to  die  this 
time  ;  she  's  powerful  better  to-day.  But  there 
comes  that  English  gal,  lickety  spick." 


FARUAGUT  AND  PORTER.  183 

Tliere  indeed  was  Blanche,  quite  out  of  breath 
with  her  rapid  flight  from  Chestnut  Hill  to  the 
brown  cottage. 

"  Where  is  Mrs.  Lockwell  ?  "  she  cried  ;  "  here  is 
a  letter  from  my  cousin  Larry." 

Mrs,  Lockwell  heard  the  words,  and  hastened  to 
meet  Blanche,  saying  Mercy  was  so  much  better  that 
she  did  not  need  any  one  with  her  that  morning ;  and 
telling  Tom  he  should  have  the  news  from  Larry 
when  she  had  read  the  letter,  she  hastened  home, 
and  called  her  father  to  hear 

LARRY'S  LETTER. 

New  Orleans,  May  4,  1862., 

My  own  dear  Mother:  I  have  so  much  to 
tell  you,  and  so  short  a  time  before  the  mail  closes, 
tliat  I  scarcely  know  where  to  begin. 

We  have  had  a  glorious  INIay-day.  General  But- 
ler issued  his  proclamation  to  the  people  of  this  city 
on  that  day.  He  is  a  strong  man,  an  earnest 
patriot,  and  will  protect  the  citizens  in  all  their 
rights. 

There  we  were  on  the  first  of  May,  walking  the 
streets  of  New  Orleans,  treading  on  burnt  cotton. 
They  burnt  King  Cotton.  Is  it  an  omen  of  the 
final  destruction  of  Cotton-power  ?     Who  knows  I 


184  I    "WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

This  is  a  fine  city,  but  not  half  as  handsome  as 
Philadelphia,  nor  half  as  large  as  New  York ;  but 
Captain  Ringbolt  says,  as  the  second  commercial  city 
in  the  Union,  it  is  of  vast  importance. 

The  St.  Charles  is  a  magnificent  hotel,  and  General 
Butler  will  make  it  his  head-quarters. 

Heaps  of  oranges  are  piled  up  in  the  streets, — 
delicious  oranges ;  we  have  no  idea  at  home  how 
luscious  the  oranges  and  other  Southern  fmits  are 
when  gathered  ripe  from  the  trees. 

I  wish  you,  mother  dear,  and  Blanche,  could  see 
the  magnificent  magnolias  and  the  splendid  live-oaks, 
with  their  drapery  of  moss.  The  flowers,  too,  would 
enchant  you. 

As  for  the  mhabitants,  they  are  yet  rather  tur- 
bulent. They  remiud  me  of  the  waves  of  the  sea 
after  a  storm.  You  know  the  waves  continue  to 
dash  and  foam  after  the  gale  is  past. 

There  is  occasionally  an  outbreak  here,  but  it  does 
not  amount  to  much,  and  is  soon  put  down  by  the 
energy  of  General  Butler.  All  well-disposed  persons 
are  protected  by  our  army. 

As  I  was  passing  along  near  the  Custom-House, 
on  the  top  of  which  the  Union  flag  is  floating  tri- 
umphantly, I  came  upon  a  crowd  of  people  who  were 


FARPtAGUT   AND    PORTER.  185 

hooting,  and  tlu'eatening  to  teai'  dowTi  the  Stars  and 
Stripes.  Above  their  hooting  and  yelling,  I  heard 
di'ums  beating,  and  soon  a  company  of  soldiers  were 
marching,  to  the  tune  of  Yankee  Doodle,  right  up  to 
the  ci'owd,  with  fixed  bayonets !  The  mob  soon  dis- 
pereed.  I  believe  no  one  was  killed,  but  several 
may  have  been  slightly  wounded. 

Among  this  crowd  were  a  number  of  women, 
hooting  and  jeering  as  loudly  as  the  men. 

As  I  stood  at  a  short  distance,  looking  on,  one  of 
these  women  threw  a  rotten  orange  at  my  face.  I 
caught  the  du-ty  missile  in  my  hand,  and  as  it  crushed 
it  spattered  in  the  face  of  another  Avom;in,  who  was 
standing  quite  near  me.  She  gave  me  a  smart  blow 
on  the  back,  and  swore  at  me  like  a  trooper.  They 
were  both  well  dressed,  though  in  a  very  showy 
style. 

I  was  walking  another  time,  with  a  tall,  handsome 
midshipman,  and  we  met  two  of  these  New  Orleans 
ladies  (?),  and,  it  is  too  bad  to  tell,  these  ladies,  as 
if  they  had  agreed  upon  it  beforehand,  spit,  spat, 
spit,  m  the  midshipman's  face,  or  I'atlier  attemjited 
to  do  so,  but,  happening  to  raise  his  handkerchief 
at  the  moment,  it  I'cceived  the  contents  irom  their 
delicate  mouths.     "  Just   what   I   should  have   ex- 


186  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

pected  from  your  ugly  looks,"  said  he,  throwing 
away  the  handkerchief. 

They  are  not  all  of  this  stamp ;  I  saw  two  very 
pretty  girls  waving  their  handkerchiefs  at  our  flag 
with  real  enthusiasm.  While  they  were  thus  waving 
them,  a  rough-looking  woman  came  along,  snatched 
one  of  the  handkercliiefs,  and  tore  it  to  pieces,  and 
then,  stamping  it  under  her  feet,  swore  at  those 
pretty  girls  till  they  were  glad  to  hurry  away. 

The  ladies  wave  secession  flags  from  their  win- 
dows ;  they  pour  water  on  the  heads  of  our  soldiers 
as  they  pass ;  they  parade  their  secession  badges  in 
the  most  conspicuous  places,  even  upon  their  bonnets. 
My  dear  mother,  did  you  ever  hear  of  such  women, 
excepting  the  French  Poissardes  ?  ,  They  are  so 
provoking  that  one  almost  forgets  they  are  women, 
and  yet  they  pretend  to  be  ladies.  They  ought  to 
be  punished  severely.  If  they  only  behave  them- 
selves, they  will  be  protected  and  treated  like  ladies. 

I  have  just  heard  that  Commodore  Farragut  is 
going  farther  up  the  IVIississippi,  and  our  steamer  is 
to  be  one  of  the  fleet.  So  that  I  cannot  write  much 
more. 

Please  remember  me  kindly  and  gratefully  to 
good  Mercy  Brunt,  and  affectionately  to  Tom ;   I 


FARRAGUT  AND  PORTER.         187 

am  strongly  attached  to  that  noble  sailor.  He  is 
a  true  Christian,  and  his  consistent  example  has  had 
great  influence  on  board  our  vessel.  I  hope  he  is 
by  this  time  with  you.  I  have  no  doubt  you  will 
pay  him  the  kindest  attention.  I  shall  never  forget 
how  very  much  I  am  indebted  to  him  and  to  his 
excellent  sister. 

Do  Blanche's  English  prejudices  subside  ?  Is 
she  still  swayed  secessionward  ?  I  have  copied 
some  doggerel  for  her  on  the  taking  of  New  Or- 
leans. 

I  am  afraid  grandpa  will  not  remember  the  origi- 
nal ballad  of  which  it  is  a  j)arody,  and  pcrhai)S  he 
will  think  it  silly ;  but  it  amused  me,  and  I  think 
it  will  amuse  Blanche,  wlio  sings  the  old  balhid  of 
"Lord  Lovell  and  Miss  Nancy."  Please  tell  her 
the  Lord  Lovell  in  this  ballad  is  the  General  Lovell 
who  was  to  have  defended  New  Orleans. 

"  Lord  Lovell  he  sat  in  St.  Charles  Hotel, 
In  St.  Charles  Hotel  sat  he; 
As  fine  a  ca.se  of  a  Rebel  swell 
As  ever  you  'd  wish  to  see,  —  see,  —  .see. 

"  Lord  Lovell  the  town  had  vowed  to  defend, 
A-waving  his  sword  on  high; 
He  swore  that  his  last  ounce  of  lead  he  'd  spend. 
And  in  the  last  ditch  he  'd  die. 


188  I   WILL   BE   A    SAILOR. 

"  He  swore  by  black,  and  he  swore  by  blue, 
He  swore  by  the  stars  and  bars, 
That  never  he  'd  fly  from  a  Yankee  crew, 
While  he  was  a  son  of  Mars. 

"  He  had  forts  that  no  Yankee  alive  could  take, 
He  had  iron-clad  boats  a  score ; 
And  batteries  all  around  the  lake. 
And  along  the  river  shore. 

"  Sir  Farragut  came  with  a  mighty  fleet. 
With  a  mighty  fleet  came  he, 
And  Lord  LoveU  instanter  began  to  retreat 
Before  the  first  boat  lie  could  see. 

"  '  O,  tarry,  Lord  Lovell,'  Sir  Farragut  said, 
0,  tarry.  Lord  Lovell,'  said  he; 
'  I  rather  think  not,'  Lord  Lovell  replied. 
For  1  'm  in  a  great  hurry ! 

"  '  I  like  the  drinks  at  St.  Charles  Hotel, 
But  I  never  could  bear  strong  Porter, 
Especially  when  its  served  in  a  shell, 
Or  mixed  in  an  iron  mortar.^ 

"  '  I  reckon  you  're  right,'  Sir  Farragut  said, 
'  I  reckon  you  're  right,'  said  he,- 
'  For  if  my  Porter  should  fly  at  j-our  head, 
A  terrible  smash  there  'd  be.' 

"  0,  a  wonder  it  was  to  see  them  run, 
A  wonderful  thing  to  see ; 
And  the  Yankees  sailed  near,  without  firing  a  gun, 
And  captured  the  great  city. 


FARRAGUT   AND    PORTER.  189 

"  Lord  Lovell  kept  running  all  clay  and  all  night, 
Lord  Lovell  a-running  kept  he; 
For  the  world  he  could  n't  abide  the  sight 
Of  the  gun  of  a  live  Yankee. 

"  When  Lord  Lovell's  life  was  brought  to  a  close, 
By  a  sharp-shooting  Yankee  gunner, 
From  his  head  there  sprouted  a  red,  red  nose, 
From  his  feet,  — a  scarlet  runner." 

I  can't  say  much  for  the  measure  and  rhythm  of 
the  ballad.  I  suppose  the  occasion  Avarranted  un- 
limited poetical  license.  I  am  afraid,  my  dear 
mother,  you  will  think  me  very  trifling  after  the 
serious  and  dreadful  affairs  of  the  last  weeks ;  but 
indeed  we  cannot  but  feel  exultation  and  exhil- 
aration at  our  success.  It  is  a  great  conquest, 
and  one  of  the  most  brilliant  acliicvements  of  our 
navy. 

I  fancy  I  hear  Blanche  say,  "  Nelson  and  Trafal- 
gar !     England  expects  every  man  to  do  his  duty  ! " 

Just  so  ;  our  country,  the  faithful  and  true  United 
States,  expects  every  man,  woman,  and  child  to  do 
their  duty,  —  sailor,  soldier,  and  citizen. 

Is  it  not  delightful,  my  dear  mother,  that  we  have 
now  direct  open  mail  communication  with  our  friends 
at  the  North? 


190  I   WILL   BE   A   SAILOR. 

That  reminds  me  that  it  is  time  for  my  letter  to  be 
posted,  and  to  say  farewell. 

With  devoted  attachment,  your 

Larry. 

"  Please  lend  me  the  letter,"  said  Blanche,  as  soon 
as  Mrs  Lockwell  had  read  it  out  to  her  and  to  Mr. 
]VIiddlefield. 

Blanche  seated  herself  at  the  piano,  and  sang  the 
new  ballad  of  Lord  Lovell  with  such  ludicrous  ex- 
pression that  Ml'.  Middlefield  laughed  heartily,  and 
even  Mrs.  Lockwell  was  compelled  to  join  in  the 
merriment. 


don't  give  up  tue  suip.  191 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

don't  give  up  the  ship. 

• 

Two  months  passed  on,  and  nothing  more  was 
lieard  from  Lany. 

It  was  the  Fourth  of  July.  Mr.  INIiddlefield  had  a 
large  Union  flag  floating  on  the  top  of  his  house,  and 
a  number  of  his  neighbors  were  assembled  on  the 
la\\'n,  and  were  forming  a  procession. 

WTiat  could  it  mean  ? 

A  company  of  soldiers,  fully  equipped,  were  in 
marching  order  on  the  road  in  front  of  the  house. 
Tom  Brunt,  no  longer  needing  crutches,  was  acting 
as  drummer. 

Soon  Mr.  Middlefield  appeared,  and,  having  been 
joined  by  the  clergyman  of  the  village,  headed  the 
procession.  Tljpy  walked  down  the  broad  path  of 
the  lawn  to  the  road ;  then  the  company  of  soldiers 
marched  in  front,  to  the  tune  of  "  Hail  Columbia." 
Mr.   Lliddlefield's   cai'riage   then   drove   up   to    the 


192  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

door,  and  Mrs.  Lockwell  and  Blanche  stepped  in 
and  took  their  seats. 

Just  as  the  coachman  was  about  to  close  the  door, 
some  one  sprang  at  a  bound  into  the  carriage,  —  a 
midshipman,  in  bright,  new  uniform,  "  blue  and 
gold." 

"  larry !  Larrj  !  "  -exclaimed  Mrs.  Lockwell, 
thro,wing  her  arms  about  the  neck  of  her  sailor- 
boy. 

"  Larry  !  Larry ! "  shrieked  Blanche,  "  you  fright- 
ened me  half  out  of  my  wits ;  I  thought  it  a  Rebel 
raid !     How  tall  you  are  !  " 

"  Good  !  I  've  taken  you  by  surprise.  But,  what 
does  all  this  parade  mean  ?  " 

"  It  is  Lidependence  Day,  and  your  grandfather 
is  going  to  dehver  an  oration  at  Penn  Hall,  in  the 
village,"  replied  Mrs.  Lockwell. 

"  Grandpa  a  Fourth  of  July  orator !  That  is  too 
funny.  And  you,  Blanche,  going  to  hear  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  ;  how  your  British  blood  will 
boil ! " 

"  Ah  !  I  ^m  the  Yankee-est  of  Yankees  now  ;  and 
glory  in  my  adopted  country,"  said  Blanche,  warmly 
and  earnestly. 

"  You  wonder,  Larry,  at  my  father's  coming  out 


don't  give  up  the  ship.  193 

on  tliis  occasion,  when  he  has  n't  spoken  in  pubhc 
since  he  was  in  Congress ;  but  those  speak  now  who 
always  speak,  and  those  too  who  never  spoke  before. 
But  how  came  you  home  and  into  the  house,  my  son, 
%vithout  being  observed  ?  " 

"  Seeing  a  crowd  in  front,  I  stole  around  to  the 
back  door,  and  came  through  the  hall  to  the  front 
door  just  as  you  got  into  the  carriage." 

All  this  time  the  carriage  had  kept  its  station, 
and  Blanche,  laughing,  said,  "  I  thought  we  were 
going  to  hear  the  Oration." 

"  And  so  we  are ;  Larry,  tell  James  to  drive  on. 
We  shall  be  there  quite  in  time." 

On  the  way,  Larry  had  to  tell  how  Captain  Ring- 
bolt obtained  the  midsliipman's  warrant  for  him,  and 
to  relate  his  adventures  on  the  jouniey  home.  He 
said  he  had  leave  of  absence  for  only  two  weeks,  and 

then  he  should  return  to  the  same  steamer,  the , 

that  had  become  so  famous. 

"  But  here  we  are  at  Pemi  Hall,"  said  Mrs. 
Lockwell.  "  I  hope  they  will  not  make  a  fuss  when 
we  go  in." 

They  were  shown  to  reserved  seats  on  one  side  of 
the  platform.  The  orator  of  the  day  was  engaged  in 
conversation  with  the  clergjiuan,  and  did  not  notice 

9  M 


194  I    WILL    BE    A    SAILOR. 

the  entrance  of  the  party  from  Chestnut  Hill,  though 
there  was  a  stir  and  a  loud  whispering  among  the 
audience. 

After  a  prayer  from  the  clergyman,  and  the  read- 
ing of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  Mr.  Middle- 
field  delivered  an  eloquent  oration,  intensely  patri- 
otic, which  was  greeted  with  enthusiastic  cheers. 

No  sooner  was  the  orator  seated  than  some  one  in 
the  crowd  called  out,  "  Midshipman  Lawrence  Lock- 
•well,  to  the  platform  !  " 

"  Lawi-ence  Lockwell,  Lawrence  LockweU  !  " 
shouted  the  men  ;  "  Larry,  Larry !  "  shrieked  the 
boys ;  and  Tom  Brunt,  not  knowing  how  to  ex- 
press his  delight,  beat  his  di-um  furiously. 

The  grandfather  turned  his  eyes  to  the  spot  where 
all  eyes  were  directed,  and  there  stood  Larry,  his 
fine  face  glowing  with  emotion,  waving  his  gold- 
banded  cap  towards  the  audience. 

"  The  platform !  the  platform ! "  shouted  the  crowd ; 
and  LaiTy  was  borne  along  without  his  will  to  the 
platform.  He  sprang  lightly  up  the  steps,  and 
bowed  to  the  orator  of  the  day,  who  stood  up  to 
receive  him.  But  Larry's  feelmgs  overcame  him ; 
he  flung  down  his  cap,  and,  throwing  his  arms 
around  his  grandfather's  neck,  gave  him  a  hearty 
kiss. 


don't  give  up  the  ship.  195 

Touched  by  this  natural  act,  the  audience  cheei*ed 
vociferously,  and  Tom  Brunt  beat  "  Yankee  Doodle  " 
with  all  his  might. 

"VVTien  the  noise  had  subsided,  Larry  surveyed  the 
audience,  recognizing  many  familiar  faces,  and  bow- 
ing gracefully  said : 

"  My  friends,  I  am  no  orator,  as  my  grandfather 
is  ;  but,  as  an  officer  of  the  navy,  I  am  pledged  to 
defend  our  country,  and  to  fight  her  battles." 

Cheers,  cheers  !     Deafening  applause  ! 

"  I  can't  make  a  speech ;  I  will  only  offer  you  a 
sentiment,  —  The  Union,  the  whole  Union,  North, 
South,  East,  and  West ;  we  are  in  an  awful  storm, 
but   '  Don't  give  up  the  ship ! ' " 


THE    END. 


Cambridge  :    Stereotyped  and  Printed  by  Welch,  Bigclow,  ft  Co. 


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